Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 2005, Domaine Rollin Père et Fils

I last tasted this pinot noir from the Hautes-Côtes in September 2007 when I visited the Rollin domaine in Pernand-Vergelesses. The wine certainly passed muster then. I feel that I have left it too long in the bottle since now in June 2010 it seems past its peak. The rich liquid cherry colour announces a heavy, somewhat mute nose, of strawberry and cherry. Thick cherry, plum and strawberry flavours with the rustic textures typical of the higher altitude Hautes-Côtes which are surrounded by orchards and infested with marauding wild boar (not a jest, les sangliers sont trop nombreux). These wines are no doubt better when they are lively youngsters. This pinot is still enjoyable but starting to flag. I add that this is my fault for waiting too long, not the wine-maker's!