Packaged in a heavy bottle with a wax capsule, the 2001 Pinot Noir La Grande Colline is ripe (possibly over-ripe), with new oak and smoke presented in a more extreme style than its siblings. The dark plum/ruby color is followed by abundant quantities of plum, fig, jammy black cherry and berry notes with hints of smoky oak and earth. Initially, I thought it was inferior to the Garys’ and Pisoni cuvees, but the longer it sat in the glass, the more it seemed to find its equilibrium and definition, eventually revealing notions of caramel and vanilla. Impressively long, it may merit 90 points with more bottle age. My current rating is conservative, but there is a lot to like in this Pinot Noir. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.Tel. (805) 938-5050