2012 Elk Cove Pinot Noir Five Mountain

The Five Mountain vineyard was planted by Dick Ponzi in 1978. The 2012 Pinot Noir Five Mountain was cropped at 1.75 tons per acre at 23.5 Brix and spent ten months in French oak, 40% new. The nose has a touch of exoticism with hints of dried fig and licorice infusing the mainly black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and moderate depth, but then becoming quite reserved and slightly tapered toward the finish that does not really "let go."