Fall Release Party at De Ponte Cellars

Twice a year, De Ponte holds a party for club members. I've enjoyed many bottles from this fine producer, and decided to take notes at the event to see how some old favorites are doing, and to document my first taste of the 07 Baldwin Family Reserve.

• 2006 De Ponte Cellars Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Deep rich blackberry and cranberry scents appear on the nose along with something that reminds me of a baked pie crust. The wine is very soft on the palate right now and delivers juicy blackberry flavors. Some balanced oak comes in at the end. 90-

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• 2007 De Ponte Cellars Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  This wine smells like wet, black, earth with lots of funk and some fruity raspberries all mixed together. The earth and fruit both come through with great mouth feel. The wine has a velvet feel to it. It's sturdy, but balanced, and the acidity persists well through the finish.

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• 2007 De Ponte Cellars Pinot Noir Estate 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  The nose is bright and rich with lots of red fruit, autumn leaves, red earth, and ripe apples. The apple flavors come across wonderfully on the palate along with some bright strawberries. There is a lot of acidity, but that suits my tastes just fine, especially when it's integrated as well as it is here. The acidity makes everything about this wine juicy and decadent. Some oak appears, and is also balanced very well. A hint of apple peel appears late on the mid palate as well. 91+

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• 2007 De Ponte Cellars Pinot Noir Baldwin Family Reserve 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Deep blackberries make up the bulk of this complex nose. There are aromas of roast beef, and something earthy that reminds me of cooked beets as well. The nose is very complex, and, while enjoying it, many different things came to mind before I settled on the preceding notes. On the palate, the tannins start in right away and build evenly with the acidity into a strong and balanced structure that lingers well through the finish. Crisp blackberry flavors liven up the beginning and middle of the experience, with some thick apple peels coming in later. Some nice vanilla oak flavors come into play on the finish as well. The wine is well made, and though it is enjoyable now, it will really shine after a bit more time. 91 now with potential for more.

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Everything was delicious. I was really impressed with how well the entire line up was tasting, and I look forward to more great bottles from them in the future!