Man, I do not enjoy sweet dessert / fortified wines in general, but this was DELICIOUS.

Made from 100% grand cru Pinot noir grapes. I’m told the grape spirits are added directly to grape must to stop the fermentation to preserve the grape must’s natural sugar. Then aged 4 years in oak barrels.

In the glass: this gooorgeous deep golden amber color. Clear.

On the nose: distinctly oxidative of bruised apple and hi-chew grape candy, presumably from that extended barrel aging. Nutty. Very intense and aromatic. Sweet.

On the palate: obviously high sugar, but somehow retaining this fresh grape juice character. Intense, but not cloying. Oaky with elevated alcohol on the exhale.

Delicious little bugger. I would never ever order this, but I enjoyed this a lot.