97 Points International Wine Report
Elk Cove 2022 Five Mountain Pinot Noir – Purchased in 2005, wines from this historic site (planted by Dick Ponzi in 1978) have proven to be among Elk Cove’s top scoring bottles in subsequent years. The aromas entice with a tapestry of spices, composted earth, mixed berries – marionberries, blackberries – pie cherries and a dash of chocolate. Now settling in with several years post-bottling, it’s beginning to show the balanced power that will propel it through the decades. Drink it now for the juicy, delicious fruit, and set some aside to watch the development of further accents and details.
94 Points Wine Spectator
Supple and handsomely structured, this Pinot is plum with polished raspberry and cherry flavors accented by cinnamon and orange peel. Finishes with fine-grained tannins.
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
Walking through a garden after a much-needed summer rain might give you a sense of the Five Mountain’s earthy pleasures. Additional aromas of sweet red raspberries and a walnut scone are merely icing on the earthy cake. This is a balanced wine, with gentle acidity and silky tannins accompanying flavors of tart pie cherries, cacao and cinnamon.
91 Points James Suckling
The 2022 Pinot Noir Five Mountain, grown on Laurelwood soils, is scented of raspberry, red cherry jam, cinnamon, mushrooms and orange peel. The light-bodied palate is silky and refreshing with understated, floral fruit and a long, spicy finish.
Winemaker Notes
Fruit from Five Mountain is fermented in small, temperature controlled steel tanks, hand punched down twice daily, and barreled in French oak barrels. After 10 months of aging, only the barrels that are most representative of the Five Mountain profile are carefully blended to create a rich, earthy Oregon Pinot Noir.
