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Ponzi Vineyards - Willamette Valley - Pinot Noir Rose 2016
Tasting notes
"A beautiful nose of rose petal, red apple, vanilla and a touch of pink peppercorn transitions to a full mouth with hints of blood orange zest, panna cotta and pomegranate. The mouth watering finish is reminiscent of a watermelon hard candy.h"
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 2016 Ponzi Pinot Noir Rose is a blend of fruit from high elevation Merten and Dion Vineyards, blended with fruit from our original 45-year-old vines at the Estate Vineyard.
Vinification
The fruit was destemmed and macerated for 24 hours before pressing to stainless steel for fermentation. The fermentation was cool and long and malolactic was inhibited to retain the bright, fresh fruit character.
Vintage
For the last three years Ponzi has been defining the new normal with early vintages in the Willamette Valley. 2016 jumped out of the gate with bud break a full 3 weeks earlier than normal. Flowering was condensed by a heat spell and an early summer provided beautiful warm temperatures until August when it heated up. Harvest arrived later that month and was in full swing by early September. All fruit was in the door by the first part of October. Fruit quality was immaculate with absolutely no disease pressure. Fruit set was small due to the short flowering time. Berry size was also small resulting in lower yields and gorgeously intense fruit. Luisa compares the 2016 to the 2006 vintage where she saw lush, beautiful wines with unexpected elegance and acidity, but in achingly short supply. Truly, a stellar vintage for Oregon
Wine
This remarkably expressive Pinot Noir Rose truly showcases Luisa's style. Graceful notes of apple and rose petals emerge on the nose with subtle hints of peppercorn, vanilla, and citrus on the palate. The beautiful acidity on the finish leaves you with wanting more.
