Deep ruby-purple colored, the 2009 Mathilde Reserve Pinot Noir is scented of tar and charcoal to begin, giving way to an expressive core of meat, earth, dark berries and dried plums plus a whiff of Chinese five spice and soy. Full-bodied, concentrated and well balanced in the mouth, it has a refreshing acid backbone and medium to firm level of graining tannins. It displays a nice long, multi-layered finish of earth and dark berry notes. Entering its drinking window now, it should keep to 2018. Importer: Via Pacifica Selections, Sebastopol, CA; tel. (800) 823-5545; fax (707) 823-3393

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