2011 Ponzi Abetina 2 Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.60,125 cases, $145. Released September 2013. A single vineyard cuvée crafted from Abetina 2 block at Ponzi’s LIVE Certified Sustainable Aurora Vineyard. 100% de-stemmed, fermented in small lots after a 5-day cold soak. Fermenters were aerated or manually punched down twice a day for 12-20 days before undergoing a 7-day postfermentation maceration. The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Bottled without fining or filtration and aged in bottle for 5 months before release. · This wine disappoints at this price level except for an incredibly long finish. The nose is oak driven with aromas of char and toast with very little berry fruit, even when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. The mid weight core of purple grape and black raspberry fruits have charm and are more expressive on the palate. The barrel treatment is noticeable evident in the background. There is good energy and vibrancy, the tannins are gracious, and the finish is extraordinarily lengthy. Score: 90. Reviewed December 13, 2016

Winery: Ponzi Vineyards
From article: Final Oregon Wine Reviews of 2016