2010 Pinot Noir Wine between $10 and $25

Easy-going and vivaciously fruity, this 100% Pinot Noir is completely delightful. It reminded me of a hypothetical three-way cross between light, fresh Côte de Beaune Burgundy, a Cru Beaujolais and a Sancerre, with plenty of grapy freshness, but also distinct notes of the flinty Sancerre terroir rising toward the finish. The bright red Pinot Noir fruit is abundant, supple, and pure, with surprising grip and intensity for Sancerre rouge. Highly recommended.
-- Ben Giliberti, CW Director of Wine Education

Deep ruby garnet in color, with lifted aromas of dark cherry and berry fruit on the nose, this precisely delineated, medium-bodied wine is marked by generous flavors of cherry and currant. The classic Central Otago dark cherry and spice character is accented by soft, rounded tannins and fine acidity, with a note of subtle new oak on the finish. Delicious now, with the potential to age for an additional 1 to 2 years.

New Zealand has a gift for making Pinot Noir, but never have its delights been available at a price this low before. Ponga is produced by the Scott Family Group, a totally family owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Blenheim wine growing region of Marlborough. Blenheim's free-draining, gravelly subsoils, together with the region's abundant sunshine, cool nights, and long growing season, are tailor-made for producing elegant, Burgundy styled Pinot Noir. As good if not better than many $18-$20 range Pinot Noirs, the 2010 Ponga Marlborough Pinot Noir is a total charmer, offering vibrant, pure, strawberry/black cherry-accented Pinot Noir fruit at an eminently affordable price.