The Wine Advocate has rated – and raved over – this great Pinot in vintages all the way back to the 1970ss, but this 2018 earned their top rating ever.
As our supplier says:
As one of the major wine publications once wrote, “All Oregon Pinot Noirs are measured against the Ponzi yardstick”. That has been true for over 50 years, while the Ponzi family has farmed 140 acres of certified sustainable vineyards all planted on Laurelwood soils. During their tenure, the Ponzis have observed the unique characteristics as their vines penetrated the earth and evolved. Bright red fruit character in their youth gave way to dark berry and brambly spice as the vines reached into the volcanic layers. The character of this soil has defined the Ponzis’ wines and served as a guide for generations of winemakers in the Willamette Valley. The Pinot Noir Reserve’s brooding dark fruit and exotic spice has rendered it one of the ultimate examples of artisanal, site-expressive Pinot Noir in the United States today, year after year epitomizing a character of restrained power.
Another thing Robert Parker said when raving over the 1980 vintage that remains true today:
Prices charged for the Ponzi wines are extremely modest given the quality.
Even at the winery’s $80 price, this one over-delivers.
