04 J. Christopher, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir "Sandra Adele"

Not nearly as elegant as the 2002, this new Sandra Adele has to rely a bit more on its oak than you'd expect to make it work. So, on first open, the burnt aroma of fresh floorboard and blacktop hides all the delicacy and sexuality that I know this wine contains. But after a bit of decanting, the elegant cranberry juice, black cherry pulp, chocolate chip, and black grape flavors take over--always growing more intense, but still restrained by cleansing spring-like acidity and a lean, taxingly fumey finish. If the 2002 is for his mother's beauty, this is for her discipline.