Ponzi Vineyards A Tavola Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2006

A nice pinot noir. I can see why its so popular. There's a bit of a musty midpalate, but maybe this is just from the bottle having sat around open for a day. Strawberries and pine on the nose. Tannins are a bit intense and the alcohol stands out a bit.

February 2009

Milk chocolate, ripe raspberry and star anise dominate this extremely perfumed nose. The mouth hints at the same chocolate notes with vanilla and sweet red currant leading to a long finish with soft tannins. -Luisa Ponzi 2006 may be remembered as the year Oregon's orchards and vineyards produced record yields. Crop tons per acre this year were extraordinarily high across the Willamette Valley. Higher than normal rainfall in the winter charged soils with abundant water. This ground water enabled vines to flourish through the very dry summer. Harvest was hot and fast for most sites. Soil read more...water may have been the causal factor for such a large average cluster size, but it also insured high quality and clean fruit from happy vines! This Pinot Noir is a blend from Ponzi's Aurora Vineyard, Madrona Vineyard, and Estate Vineyard along with Dion Vineyard, Alloro Vineyard and Gemini Vineyard. This wine is made from 100% certified sustainable fruit.    (hide)

Pungent red fruit and confectioner's sugar nose. Palate has some nice earth to it with red cherries and a bit of classic tire track pinot that I've come to love. This is just a superb, easy drinking, light to medium bodied wonderful pinot. I'd be happy recommending it to anyone.

May 2008

The 2006 Ponzi Vineyards "Tavola" Pinot Noir is a blend from Ponzi's Aurora, Madrona and Estate vineyards as well as Dion, Alloro and Gemini vineyards-all grown sustainably. Ripe raspberries, milk chocolate and star anise make up this wine's elegant bouquet, while the aromas continue onto the palate. Additional red currant and vanilla flavors framed by soft tannins, keep this wine supple and eminently drinkable.

Wine & Spirits ReviewRated 91Scents of sassafras highlight this wines aromas of black cherries and plum; its flavors are of juicy, ripe red cherry tinged with Mexican chocolate and black tea. Its mildly grainy texture suggests good bones. Serve with roast pork loin.Food & Wine ReviewTop PinotProduced solely from sustainably farmed grapes, this juicy, appealing Pinot reveals sweet berry aromas. Ponzi, a family-owned winery founded in 1970, has been a pioneer in Willamette Valley.Restaurant Wine Review4+ StarsBest version yet of this wine: supple, very fruity and quite distinct read more...in flavor (raspberry, plum, cherry, nutmeg), with modest oak, and excellent balance. Long finish. Delicious.Wine Tasting NotesMilk chocolate, ripe raspberry and star anise dominate this extremely perfumed nose. The mouth hints at the same chocolate notes with vanilla and sweet red currant leading to a long finish with soft tannins.    (hide)

January 2009

A fairly plain nose - slightly hot. Very rich, sweet and oaky. Great finish on bitter chocolate and Christmas cake spices.

February 2009