($40): Ponzi, one of the pioneers in the Oregon wine industry, continues to show that Pinot Noir is well-suited to Willamette’s climate and soil.  Whereas their Tavola bottling focuses more on bright fruit, the Willamette Valley label has the near magical combination of smoky savory nuances to complement the dark fruit notes.  Supple tannins add to its appealing texture and make it easy to recommend for current consumption, though based on my experience with Ponzi’s Pinot Noir, they develop very nicely with a few years of bottle aging.
93 Michael Apstein Dec 22, 2015