Ponzi Vineyards

Tavola Pinot Noir 2021

Willamette Valley, Oregon

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The 2021 Tavola Pinot Noir continues a string of amazing Tavola vintages. While made from lower elevation sites and younger vines, and handled in a way to emphasize a fruit-forward character, with soft tannins, anything Luisa Ponzi approaches will have high quality as a prerequisite. Tavola is the type of wine that can be an introduction to Oregon and Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and, with its generous fruit and exotic spice, and floral notes, the start of a delicious exploration.

Vineyard

The 2021 Ponzi Tavola Pinot Noir is produced from LIVE Certified Sustainable Ponzi Aurora and Avellana Vineyards, as well as sustainably grown vineyards in the Chehalem Mtns, Yamhill-Carlton, Dundee Hills and Eola Hills AVAs.

WINEMAKING

All fruit is sorted then destemmed to 1.5–3 ton fermenters. An extended cold soak increases color and aroma. Fermented by native yeasts, the peak temperatures reach 90°F. The fermenters were aerated or punched down twice a day, then lightly pressed. The wine was aged in French oak for 11 months (20% new). A barrel selection is made for Tavola, then racked and bottled by gravity without fining or filtration. This wine has been bottle aged for 4 months before release.

Vintage

After the smoke filled 2020 vintage, and the “heat dome” events in the summer of 2021, the early rains in September refreshed the vines and the fruit started coming in mid-September perfectly clean, ripe, and full of flavor. Reminiscent of 2012, the nights were very cool creating wines with balanced acidity, big aromatics, and delicious full flavors. Yields were somewhat smaller than expected, but that adds to the intensity of color and structure of the wines.

Tasting Notes

“Fresh red fruits of strawberry, cranberry and pie cherry tinged with notes of rose petal and peppercorn leap from the glass. The mouth has darker notes of cola, blackberry, salty licorice, and vanilla. The finish holds bright acidity framed by soft tannins and a hint of rhubarb jam to perfectly balance this lovely pure expression of Oregon Pinot Noir.” – Winemaker Luisa Ponzi

Food Pairing

Glazed Roast Salmon with Beets and Spring vegetables.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir

Appellation

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Farming

Tavola Pinot Noir is produced from Ponzi’s LIVE Certified Sustainable Avellana Vineyard, as well as other sustainably-grown vineyards in the Chehalem Mountains, Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs.

Alcohol

13.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$27

Reviews

"Juicy with crunchy red fruit"

Wine Advocate - May 19, 2023

"The 2021 Pinot Noir Tavola, a blend of fruit from several vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley, has a pale ruby-purple color and aromas of cranberries, red cherries, orange peel, licorice and baking spice. The light-bodied palate is soft and juicy with crunchy red fruit, generous streaks of allspice and a long, spicy finish. This is easy to drink!" - E.B. 5/2023

"One of the Willamette Valley’s best values"

Wine Enthusiast - June 27, 2023

"Year-in, year-out, the Tavola is one of the Willamette Valley’s best values. The current vintage entices with aromas of ripe dark plums, raspberries, talc and cedar. The sweet red raspberry, lime and angel food cake flavors glide on a smooth, slippery texture" - M.A. 6/2023

"Red raspberry, fresh herbs and flowers"

Jeb Dunnuck - September 21, 2023

"The 2021 Pinot Noir Tavola comes from fruit sourced from lower elevation sites and younger vines that are picked a little earlier, meant to be an expression of the entire valley. It’s a ripe but transparent ruby hue and offers up perfumed aromas of red raspberry, fresh herbs and flowers, and dusty earth. Medium-bodied, with good freshness, it has fine tannins and energy throughout, as well as a clean finish. It offers a great value and is perfect for relative early drinking over the next couple of years." - A.F. 9/23

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.

Pinot Noir Reserve

Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley

Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve is the epitome of restrained power. It hails from estate grown fruit on Laurelwood soils in the Chehalem Mountains, including from some of Oregon’s oldest vines. This remarkably complex wine is handcrafted with tremendous attention to detail.

Laurelwood Chardonnay

Laurelwood District, Willamette Valley, Oregon

The Ponzi family has dedicated over 30 years to innovation in farming and winemaking to develop Oregon Chardonnay's place in the world. Luisa Ponzi's formative experiences working in Burgundy in the early 1990s guide her vision of producing complex and ageworthy Chardonnay.

Pinot Gris

Willamette Valley

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.