Hautes-Côtes de Beaune "Clos de la Perrière" 2008, Domaine Parigot

Domaines like Parigot who vinify Volnay and Meursault rarely slip up with their lesser wines. This pinot Hautes-Côtes is remarkable value. Immediate ripe strawberry aromas, dashes of cassis and violet jelly (a Fortnum & Mason discovery). Soft fruit on the palate: cherries and ripe tannins when the structure takes over. Some interesting cinnamon notes offer the complexity so often missing from these higher altitude wines. I'm sure this beautiful chestnut horse from Meloisey would agree!