Ponzi Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2018

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The Ponzis were one of the original pioneers in Oregon winemaking – and an essential part of building its international legacy.

Bucking all warnings that it was too cold and wet in Oregon to make great wines, Dick and Nancy uprooted their family and took a big chance. Popular opinion said it would be a disaster. But their own research from their time in Burgundy and beyond gave them hope they were onto something. Turns out they were.

In 1974, the Ponzi’s made their first four barrels of Pinot Noir. At the time there were only five bonded wineries in Oregon with a mere 35 acres in total production. They are widely considered one of Oregon’s best wineries – even as the list has grown from 5 wineries to over 800 during their tenure in the Willamette.

But now on their second generation of winemakers, Luisa is only furthering her family’s legacy. The Oregon Wine Press recently declared, “By adding academic knowledge to her unparalleled experience learning from her father, Luisa Ponzi has become one of the most formidable winemakers in the country.” Today’s wine gives you a glimpse at her unmistakable talent.

Original price was: $45.00.Current price is: $29.99.

Out of stock

96 Points, James Suckling
Love the aromas of fossilized shells and sliced cooked apples. Quince and aniseed, too. Well Perfumed. Full-bodied, yet creamy and compact with a beautiful, long finish of honey, straw and lime. Sustainable.

93 Points (Editors’ Choice), Wine Enthusiast
There has been a change (apparently) in vineyard sources from the previous vintage, which carried the new Laurelwood District AVA. This reserve bears the broader Willamette Valley AVA and includes grapes from a wider mix of sites. It’s loaded with tasty, toasty flavors of nutmeg, toasted hazelnuts, butter cookie and fresh sliced tree fruits. Framed with lime skin and pea vine phenolics, it’s a generous, balanced and thoroughly delicious bottle.

96 Points, James Suckling – 93 Points (Editors’ Choice), Wine Enthusiast

The Ponzi Chardonnay Reserve Willamette Valley 2018 is a work of art. It’s easily one of the top whites of the exceptional 2018 vintage. Luisa decided to make it a broader ‘Willamette Valley Reserve’ after this wine previously only received fruit from the Laurelwood AVA. But Luisa, in her never ending pursuit of perfection decided to incorporate fruit from the nearby Chehalem Mountains as well, giving her extra flair and personality in this inaugural Reserve bottling and wowing all the critics in the process. 

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