Thierry Richoux’s Pinot Noir displays a deep, dark ruby core with pink reflections on the rim. The exquisitely perfumed nose boasts aromas of wild flowers, black tea, tree moss, forest floor and crushed seeds laced with fresh strawberries, red plums, a touch of redcurrant and subtle, exotic spices far in the background. The medium-bodied palate reveals a terroir of focused limestone minerality melded with bright acidity; compact flavors of slightly unripe strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate and cherry unfold to reveal further layers of forest floor, dried rose petals and a touch of nuanced baking spices in the distance. If consuming young, decant this wine for 30-45 minutes and serve at roughly 60-65F in large Burgundy stems for optimal results. Right when you open the bottle, this wine is a bit angular and mineral, but after around 45 minutes of air, it fills out and starts to sing. I will say, however much I enjoy this little beauty right this minute, it will unfold into a whole other space in a couple years. I recommend enjoying 1-2 bottles now while losing the rest in the dark recesses of your cellar. This wine will begin to emerge in 2-3 years and will most likely peak a decade from now. A friend of mine was with a group of aficionados drinking a bottle of 1996 Richoux Irancy a few weeks back next to aged wines from top producers sourced from the most famous villages of Burgundy that command ten to twenty times the price; it was unanimously agreed that the Richoux Irancy was, without a doubt, the best on the table by far. This wine is destined to be a star in your cellar and is just the right price to let it ride. For an ideal pairing to this wine, prepare this simple duck recipe. You will be happy you did.