Robert Parker, Jr.-The Wine Advocate:  Rated as An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. “The 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley was sourced mainly from the Chehalem Mountain AVA. Darker in color, aromatically it leans toward the black fruit side of the spectrum with aromas of incense, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. A bit more structured on the palate with a good layering of savory black fruits, this precision effort can be enjoyed now and over the next 8 years.” Oct 2010

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: Rated as Outstanding. “Bright red. Sexy, high-pitched aromas of raspberry, cherry, pungent herbs and fresh rose, with a subtle note of allspice coming up with air. Juicy and open-knit on entry, then firmer in the mid-palate, offering sweet dark berry and cherry-cola flavors, with a dusting of tannins adding shape. Nicely ripe Pinot with a suave finishing sweetness and very good length. This will be approachable early. There are 5,350 cases of this to go around.” Aug 2010

Winery:  "Ripe plum, roses, almond extract, clove and anise stand out in this inviting and ever-changing nose. The full mouth of sweet black cherries balanced with high notes of blueberry and pomegranate finishes with soft and silky tannins.  A winemaker is lucky to receive a handful of really magical vintages in a lifetime. 2008 is one of those vintages. Long hang time for the vines and the luxury of picking when we wanted made this vintage exceptional!"

Wired For Wine: The Ponzi family has been lovingly creating fantastic wines for over four decades, now with the help of a second generation.  We are the luckier for it.  Your toughest decision will be whether to drink your bottles now, or hold onto them for a big event in the next eight years; we say get enough for both!  Your first bottle of Ponzi Willamette Valley Pinot Noir will commence the stunned silence of delicious if you offer it with thinly sliced bresaola (air-cured beef tenderloin) topped with shaved,crunchy brussel sprouts and shallots.  The slight bitterness of the brussel sprouts is remarkably tasty opposite the ripe black fruit of this Oregon Pinot. The skillful combination of heady, luscious fruit, notes of spice and florals, subtle tannins and beautiful structure in what results in a lovely, long length in the finish, and  allows for a variety of choices for the entree from duck and salmon, to lean beef, pork loin, lamb and game even.  Our first choice is grilled salmon with soy, ginger and sake. It will bring out the gentle incense and allspice in this Willamette Valley red.  Another gorgeous choice is curry-spiced duck breast with basmati rice, toasted cashew-apricot chutney, and garam masala duck sauce.  Be still my heart. And finally, if you're in the mood for a heartier meat, we recommend lamb shish kebobs with a hint of cumin, grilled on the skewer with onions, bell peppers and grape tomatoes.  Hello graceful tannins.  Because you will not want the Pinot Noir event to end, open another bottle and serve it with a wonderfully aromatic yet mildly flavored French Morbier cheese.  Not to worry winelovers, this Ponzi scheme has a happy ending...

Size:  750ml, screw cap
Varietal:  Pinot Noir
Alcohol:  13.8%
Ageing:   11 months in French oak barrels (30% new), in bottle for 6 months
Region:   Willamette Valley, Oregon
Limited production:  5,350 dozen