Ponzi Vineyards

Pinot Noir Reserve 2014

Willamette Valley

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The Pinot Noir Reserve comes from primarily estate fruit, including from some of Oregon’s oldest vines.  In some years the Ponzis will choose to add complementary parcels from longtime grower partners. The constant is that the heart of the wines is from old vines grown on Laurelwood soils in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Ponzi’s Pinot Noir Reserve is  one of the ultimate examples of artisanal, site-expressive Pinot Noir in the United States today, year after year epitomizing a character of restrained power.

Vineyard

Fruit for the Reserve was sourced from Ponzi Vineyards’ Aurora, Abetina, and Avellana Vineyards on Laurelwood soils in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. All Ponzi vineyards have been LIVE Certified Sustainable, the highest international standard of sustainable viticulture. Additional lots were from Zenith and Bieze Vineyards in the Eola-Amity AVA. Laurelwood soil is a mixture of Basalt and Loess particular to the Northern Willamette Valley.

Winemaking

All of the fruit was hand sorted and destemmed. Fermented in small lots with 5 days of cold soak to increase aroma and color, the peak temperatures reached 90 degrees. The fermenters were aerated or manually punched down twice a day (for 12-20 days) before undergoing a 7 day post-fermentation maceration to increase structure and length. This wine was aged in French oak barrels (30% new), for 20 months. It was racked and bottled by gravity without filtration or fining and was aged in bottle for 5 months before its release.

Vintage

Said to be a Goldilocks vintage in Oregon; not too hot, not too cold and not too much rain! A warm spring and a little rain allowed for an early bud break and the season maintained warm temperatures throughout. The dry weather inhibited disease pressure allowing us to receive a bountiful, clean and quite ripe vintage.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of cinnamon bark, mulled spices, chai tea, and juniper berry leap from the glass intermingled with notes of maple syrup, nutmeg, and baked apple. The generous mouth has notes of black licorice, vanilla powder, and a salinity that balances juicy fresh fruit with dusty, light tannins.
-WINEMAKER LUISA PONZI

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir

Appellation

Willamette Valley

Alcohol

14.2%

Suggested Retail Price

$69.00

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Laurelwood Pinot Noir

Laurelwood District, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley

For over 50 years, the Ponzi family has farmed 140 acres of certified sustainable vineyards all planted on Laurelwood soil. Situated along the Northern ridge of the Willamette Valley, these ancient soils are comprised of fractured basalt layered over with a fine, windblown sediment called loess. A decade-long effort by sisters Maria and Luisa, alongside their neighbors has resulted in the recognition of Oregon’s first soil-based AVA, the Laurelwood District. The 2019 vintage boasts the new label design, with a textured effect that resembles the layers of the Laurelwood soils.

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Tavola is Ponzi's delicious early release Pinot Noir, a fruit-forward wine with soft tannins, made primarily from younger, lower elevations vines. Meant for early consumption, it is an unbeatable value for quality Pinot Noir.

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One of the original and most recognized Oregon and U.S. Pinot Gris producers, Ponzi was a major influence in establishing Pinot Gris as the first quality white grape variety in Oregon. Ponzi's Pinot Gris is an irresistably aromatic and expressive wine, and serves as a first encounter for many wine drinkers with Oregon wines and the Ponzi estate.