4 | Wine | Pinot Noir, $50 to $100

"Graphite, crushed rocks, wild flowers and dark red cherries are all wrapped together in firm, intense Pinot that isn’t ready to show all of its cards just yet".

"Luisa Ponzi decided not to make any vineyard designates in the 2009 vintage so the 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve was the beneficiary of that fruit. Dark ruby red in color, it exhibits an alluring perfume of cedar, Asian spices, incense, lilacs, black cherry, and black raspberry."

"Sleek and tangy, tightly focusing its cherry, raspberry and mineral flavors on a taut frame. Finishes with intensity and a hint of black olive."

"Upon opening, dark fruits, pomegranate, figs, orange blossom and bergamot on the nose. Evolving with time to show dried and fresh flowers, cherries and forest floor. On the palate, taut acidity, supple tannins and the restrained fruit of a cool vintage."

"On the nose, one gets fresh cherries, rose, light citrus, earth, and anise, opening to dense spice of cocoa, essence of clove, coriander seed, and forest aromas. To the taste - an infusion of cherry, black cherry, plums, dense black fruit, complex spice, with balanced acidity and tannins, and an unparalleled texture in the mouth."

"Displays a medium dense scarlet center with shimmers of magenta. The energetic nose offers a mélange of young red fruit, Crispin apple and hibiscus tea. The bright entry sings with the palate while releasing jabs of forest berries and touches of sandalwood and cardamom. The full body carries a savory quality that rounds with sturdy tannin integration and concentrated acidity. The finely-grain French oak lifts the fruit elusively. A wine that is intensely nuanced now yet will continue to reveal itself over the next 5-10 years."

"Vivid red. A sexy, heady bouquet evokes black raspberry and cherry compote, with Asian spice and sandalwood nuances gaining strength with air. The palate offers intense red berry and floral pastille flavors, along with spicecake and cola accents. Closes with impressive energy and sweetness, leaving an allspice note behind."

"Reticent nose hints at redcurrant, cherry, smoke, menthol and mocha. Juicy, fine-grained and concentrated; in an essentially tender style but with very good definition and lift. Lovely perfume and energy for 2009. Really resounds on the back end, with fine tannins dusting the entire palate." 90-93 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Perfumed aromas of cherry, redcurrant, licorice and crushed stone. Sweet, pliant and concentrated; at once very ripe and elegant, with lovely lift for the vintage. Wonderfully expressive, penetrating wine, finishing with tangy red fruits and minerals and a light touch." 91-94 pts, reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.