91 Points - Wine Spectator

Smooth and polished up front, showcasing ripe cherry, raspberry and blueberry fruit. Yet this gets traction, with a nice presentation of firm, loamy tannins that gain complexity and depth. Drink now through 2011. 432 cases made. –JL

1400 cases produced Albert Einstein first proposed the idea of a cosmological constant as part of his general theory of relativity. Physicists today continue to denote this (now modified) concept with the Greek symbol lambda or Ë.  Peter and Rebecca Work have also proposed a lambda labeled constant in the form of an estate grown Pinot Noir. I must admit, theirs is much easier to digest – especially this ’05 vintage. A blend of clones 115 (2/3) and Pommard (1/3) hand harvested from their meticulously farmed vineyard, painstakingly sorted in the field and delicately handled in the winery, this juice is stylish and sleek in the way of a fine riding horse – all smooth gaits and balanced conformation. Galloping raspberry and plum fruit is gently reined in by refined tannins and prances with lively acidity. Moderate use of new French oak ~ 35% adds a bit of richness and heft to the midpalate. This second vintage from the Ampelos estate grapes reveals a significant step up in quality and indicates that Peter and Rebecca are flying up the farming and winemaking learning curve.