Picardy 2001 Pinot had just been bottled and is due for release in May. A ruby coloured wine, it showed earthy mushroom truffle aromas (with no feral notes) and red currant. That bouquet really got my snouts attention. In terms of the structure, the tannins were velvety and unobtrusive, but they are there, the acid lively and the distinct fruit flows across the palate as the nose would suggest but with the addition of a bit of chocolate to add a bit more interest and all of this on a long finish. The body weight is lean; the complexity refined with soft consistency the wine does have a good backbone which should be a ripper in around three years. In my bigoted opinion this is what Pinot should be like. Rated as Recommended with *** for value, no doubt Pinot lovers would rate it more highly but I am a hard marker and it is a Pinot. – Feb 03