The intense, full-bodied, gorgeously rich, opulent, lavishly-oaked 1993 Cuvee J is Pinot Noir at its most exotic and flamboyant. It was named in honor of the "boss" of Burgundy, the legendary Henri Jayer. Raney claims he reproduced a yeast from the sediment of a Jayer grand cru and uses it to ferment this tiny, limited production wine. Some vintages have indeed been unbelievably similar to a great Henri Jayer Echezeaux or Richebourg. The 1993 remains unformed and youthful, but wow, what concentration and excitement it provides. Both the new oak and exhilarating level of ripe, highly concentrated red and black fruits make their presence known. The wine offers a dense, saturated color, exquisite richness, full body, and a velvety-textured, long finish. A tour de force in Oregon Pinot Noir, it is the type of wine that demonstrates the extraordinary potential for this varietal in the cool Oregon climate. Unfortunately, this wine is so limited in availability that only a handful of readers will be able to purchase it. Hopefully, more wines of this caliber will emerge from Oregon. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. Winemaker/proprietor Russ Raney has again produced exotic, complex, natural Pinot Noirs that are a delight to taste and evaluate. Tel. (503) 371-8478