When Cellars of Sonoma has winemaker Ted Elliot as a guest on thier Tuesday night show (6:00 PM), it is something special. He, nor the wine disappointed. For those wine enthusiasts that really like to follow some of the great names in wine, this is someone to add to the list.

Tuesday night Ted came on the live-stream with Scott Jordan to share about his wines as we tasted together and interacted with questions via Twitter. Ted said."I love aromatics in Pinots." I must say it is one of the aspects I appreciate so much about Pinot Noir too. It simply communicates to me how much I want to drink the wine, much like smelling the food in a restaurant. 

The 2010 TR Elliot Burgonet Pinot Noir showed aromatics early on of fresh cherry pie, bright cranberry, and baking spice with a touch of fennel leaf. As the wine began to open up more it showed black cherry, a light dusted spice, The palate offered black cherry, dusted spice of cinnamon, fennel leaf, all seamlessly, with just the right touch of round tannin. This is a delicate, beautiful balanced, and impressive wine. 

Funny thing, just the night before I was drinking another wine. Someone asked me what my immediate determination was of that particular wine I had been drinking. I shared that there are three kinds of wines in my opinion. Those wines you consume and immediately know it is great, terrible, or I need more time to investigate. The latter seems to be the vast majority in my view, while the great wines are more scarce.

That next day, I had the opportunity to taste this TR Elliot Pinot Noir. I recognized it as special on first sip. I then quickly shared a taste from my glass to the person I spoke with the day prior about my philosophy. She recognized what I meant, and agreed this TR Elliot was special.

The Bugonet Pinot Noir is all Pommard and is produced as a single vineyard designate from the 'O Connell vineyard. All 9 barrels spent 11 months in French oak,Ted describes the vineyard as a classic Russian RIver Valley.

One of the great aspects I so much appreciate about Ted being on the show is his deep knowledge of Pinot Noir and williness to share. As we discussed Pinot Noir blending, Ted indicated. "Pinot Noir doesn't like to be blended as much as other veritals. You don't get the results you think you are going to get. You can't fall asleep at the wheel" of blending.

At $44, I would suggest this wine is big on quality to price ratio. This Pinot Noir could easily be priced much higher and lucky for us all, it is not. This wine can be found at cellarsofsonoma.com