Friday, November 22, 2013 - Color: Bright cherry red with a touch of orange at the edge.
Nose: A bit shy. Some juicy red fruit aromas of cherry, cranberry, and raspberry, and a slight flinty/smoky mineral note.
Mouthfeel: Light bodied, leaning toward the thin side.
Palate: Very light and subtle. Tart, slightly crunchy red pinot fruit, and again a hint of mineral. Seems maybe a bit underripe, though, which is disappointing as I thought the Hautes-Cotes might be a nice value and exceed expectations in this ripe vintage. There's nothing wrong with it, and it would be a nice quaffer at a barbecue or party with a bit of a chill on it. There's just not much intensity, complexity, or length. Simple, light pinot and not a great value at $20.