Ponzi Reserve Pinot Noir 2011

Professional Ratings

• 90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  Originating primarily with loess-based estate sites in the Chehalem A.V.A., in particular (as is often the case) the multi-clonal, old vines Abetina planted in 1975 as a test site, Ponzi’s 2011 Pinot Noir Reserve also includes a bit of Gran Moraine from Yamhill-Carlton. It spend a surprising 20 months in barrel, but was none the worse for wear either from that experience nor from its having therefore been bottled only shortly before I tasted it in July. (It did however benefit from aeration.) Tamarind, sassafras, licorice and caramelized resin from barrel inflect dark berries on the nose as well as a palate that is richer than in the corresponding “regular” bottling, although it lacks that wine’s winsome saline savor. Instead, here is one of those instances in 2011 where we have a strikingly appealing sort of cyanic glow to the finish. I would tentatively plan to enjoy this through 2018.