Le Chat Noir 2011 Pinot Noir

Decent, quaffable pinot noir for under $20? It's almost impossible to find but this terrific value import from the south of France manages it. Importer Nicholas Crampton describes it as “the best French Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy” and it is certainly a very tidy offering from the Aude Valley. It's on the riper side of the pinot spectrum, certainly no shrinking violet, but no brash bogan either. The (French) girl next door with smoothness, dark cherry fruit flavours, hints of earthiness and plenty of length. It can be found on special for as low as $15 but the RRP is $19.