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Ponzi Vineyards - Avellana Pinot Noir 2014
Vintage
Said to be a Goldilocks vintage in Oregon; not too hot, not too cold and not too much rain! 2014 was, however, the warmest season on record in the Willamette Valley, due not to high maximum temperatures, but rather higher than normal minimum temperatures. A warm spring and a little rain gave way to an early bud break and the season maintained warm temperatures throughout. Well above normal nighttime temperatures accelerated ripening and harvest began at the very beginning of September. The dry weather inhibited disease pressure, allowing for a bountiful, clean and quite ripe vintage.
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
This Pinot noir is crafted exclusively with fruit from Ponzi's LIVE Certified Sustainable Avellana Vineyard.
Vinification
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
ost-fermentation maceration to increase structure and length. This wine was aged in French oak barrels (50% 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.
Wine
A marvelously complex wine with intriguing notes of spice and dark red fruit and a lingering finish.
