This product is no longer available. Please choose another vintage above.
Ponzi Vineyards - Willamette Valley - Chardonnay Reserve 2014
- Producer
- Country USA
- Region Oregon
- Appellation Willamette Valley
- UPC 0 11852 03942 1
Vintage
A warm spring brought an early bud break. From that point the growing season remained warm and dry suggesting an early, uneventful harvest. All went as planned until the last week in September when a Japanese typhoon saturated the vineyards with rain. Having seen many wet vintages in Oregon, Ponzi knew how to handle it; using helicopters to dry the vines, multiple picking passes, extensive sorting before destemming and careful winemaking. October saved them with three long weeks of dry, breezy days allowing the fruit to reach optimum flavor without dilution from rain.
Estate
In the late 1960s Dick and Nancy Ponzi uprooted their family to pursue a dream of producing world class Pinot Noir. After research trips to Burgundy and an extensive search, they purchased 20 acres on a small farm just southwest of Portland, Oregon. The winery was founded in 1970, and the first 4 barrels of wine produced in 1974. Ponzi has since become internationally acclaimed for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. For the last 25 years
President Maria Ponzi and Winemaker Luisa Ponzi have brought the estate to even greater heights, setting the standard for Oregon and remaining at the forefront of the nation's top wine producers.
Vineyard
The 2013 Ponzi Chardonnay Reserve is a blend of Ponzi's LIVE Certified Sustainable vineyards; Avellana and Aurora Vineyards in the Chehalem Mountains along with Sunset View Vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills and organically farmed Thistle Vineyards in the Dundee Hills
Vinification
The fruit was whole cluster pressed and the juice moved to French oak barrels (10% new) and fermented in barrel using partial wild yeast. Malolactic fermentation was spontaneous and 100%. Lees were stirred once a week for six months and racked after 12 months to very neutral oak. After 20 months of barrel age the wine was blended and then bottled by gravity.
Wine
Over 25 years of dedication to innovation in farming and winemaking to develop Oregon Chardonnay's place in the world. Expressive nose of persimmon, vanilla bean, caramelized banana, nectarine and rainwater; lightly textured mouthfeel of cinnamon, cardamom, lime and meringue flavors; long finish with burst of bright fruit.