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Ponzi Vineyards

Pinot Noir Reserve 2021

Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon

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Ponzi’s Pinot Noir Reserve comes exclusively from estate fruit, including from some of Oregon’s oldest vines. As one of the major wine publications once wrote, “All Oregon Pinot Noirs are measured against the Ponzi yardstick”. That has been true for over 50 years, while the Ponzi family has farmed 140 acres of certified sustainable vineyards all planted on Laurelwood soils. During their tenure, the Ponzis have observed the unique characteristics as their vines penetrated the earth and evolved. Bright red fruit character in their youth gave way to dark berry and brambly spice as the vines reached into the volcanic layers. The character of this soil has defined the Ponzis’ wines and served as a guide for generations of winemakers in the Willamette Valley. The Pinot Noir Reserve’s brooding dark fruit and exotic spice has rendered it 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. The 2017 boasts a new label design with a textured effect that resembles the layers of Laurelwood soils. 

Vineyard

Fruit for the Pinot Noir Reserve was sourced entirely from Ponzi Estate vineyards on Laurelwood soils. As a true Reserve, or barrel select, it is a blend of top barrels from Ponzi’s Aurora, Abetina, Madrona and Avellana Vineyards, all of which are LIVE Certified Sustainable. Each of the sites in this wine offers a different aspect, vine age, and root depth. Higher elevation sites and younger vineyards contribute bright red fruit and floral character while the lower elevation sites and older vineyards bring darker fruit and brambly spice character, all seamlessly knit together by fine, chalky tannin. This subregion of the Chehalem Mountains spreads across the northern slopes, largely protected from coastal rains, allowing the basalt soils to retain water in the spring and slowly, evenly drain throughout the growing season, bringing an inherent balance to the grape and a measured intensity to the wines.

Winemaking

Harvest: Sep-Oct 2021
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: in small lots, with daily punch-downs, 18% whole cluster
Aging: 18 months, 35% new French oak

Vintage

Tasting Notes

An explosive nose of spiced chocolate and cayenne flows into a rich, expansive core of clove, nutmeg and pomegranate syrup. Soft, plush tannins are perfumed with a touch of cinnamon.

Food Pairing

With brooding dark fruit, floral and exotic spice character, Ponzi’s Reserve Pinot noir pairs well with rich and savory dishes, like seared pork belly with hoisin sauce, blackened salmon, or wild rice and roasted mushrooms.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir

Appellation

Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Alcohol

14%

Suggested Retail Price

$91

Reviews

95

James Suckling - December 5, 2024 "Attractive notes of crushed dark berries, blueberries and wild berries with an array of spices, mint, chocolate and dried orange peel. A little earthy. Very refined, with freshness and poise. Medium- to full-bodied with juicy, mouth-filling fruit that has a savory, spicy edge to it."

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Situated along the Northern ridge of the Chehalem Mountains, the Laurelwood District boasts ancient soils of fractured basalt layered over with a fine, windblown sediment called loess. A decade-long effort by the Ponzis, alongside their neighbors, has resulted in the recognition of Oregon’s first soil-based AVA, the Laurelwood District.

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