5 | Wine | Pinot Noir, 91 or higher, 750 ml

"Fresh boysenberry and purple plum are garlanded with bitter-sweet flowers; tinged with brown spices; underlain with clean red meatiness; and suffused with saliva-liberating salinity in a Pinot of refined tannins and outstanding persistence."

"The pure ripe plum and black cherry fruit joins spice and wilted rose notes for a complex, delicate mix of flavors, gaining on the finish."

"With a somewhat fresher and very red pinot-infused nose that is followed by detailed, intense and firm medium-bodied flavors that possess good energy and punch on the mouth coating and somewhat linear finish. I like this as it has good development potential as well as a bit more mid-palate flesh though it is not a classic young Beaune as the mouth feel is somewhat stern."
Reviewed by: Allan Meadows

"Adding Johan Vineyard to the roster of four sites that informed this cuvee’s previous edition, the Ransom 2010 Pinot Noir Selection – tasted in a close approximation to its final assemblage – delivers downright refreshingly as well as invigoratingly tangy red currant and fraises des bois, tinged with coriander seed, nutmeg, and rose hip. Buoyant to the point of delicacy, this finishes with mouthwatering persistence and is sure on release to represent an outstanding value that can be enjoyed over at least the next half dozen years."

"This is a richer, deeper style than the Rincon. Layers of dark cherries and plums emerge from this fleshy, pliant Pinot Noir. The inner sweetness and perfume weave through effortlessly to a round, inviting finish."

"Subtle and intense, with a pure, juicy core of blackberry and raspberry, offering spicy oak and floral notes. Gains on the long finish."

"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."

"Bright red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, cinnamon, minerals and potpourri; smells like there are stems here but Kathy Joseph says no. Precise and vibrant on the palate, with good nervy cut to its intense flavors of candied red berries and spicecake. Still youthfully taut and bound-up but shows excellent potential. Turns more floral with air, finishing with tangy grip and a lingering hint of Asian spices. This pinot shows impressive vivacity for its warm vintage."

"The 2010 Pinot Noir North Slope is a gorgeous wine laced with freshly cut flowers, spices, red berries and minerals. Saline notes are woven throughout, giving the wine its lift and vibrancy. The North Slope boasts gorgeous inner perfume and fabulous overall length. It will be interesting to see where this goes over the coming years. The future appears to be very bright."