Highlights: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Oregon winery Ponzi
Website: https://ponzivineyards.com/
Impressed by these two from Oregon producer Ponzi, who back in 1970 became the third winery in the state. Since 2021 they have been owned by Bollinger.
Ponzi Vineyards Laurelwood District Chardonnay 2021 Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon
13.1% alcohol. The Laurelwood soil series is windblown loess on top of ancient basalt bedrock. This comes from Ponzi’s Avellana and Aurora Vineyards, as well as the Paloma Vineyard. 14% new oak. This is a distinctive Chardonnay with lots of flavour, ranging from white pepper and pear to richer peachy notes and then some savoury, spicy notes, with chamomile and herbs. It’s a rich Chardonnay, but not an obvious one: there’s a nice intensity in the mouth, with ginger, pepper, dried herbs and wood spice complexity, complementing the broad fruit. Really good. 94/100 (£38.50 Berry Bros & Rudd)
Ponzi Vineyards Laurelwood District Pinot Noir 2022 Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon
13.8% alcohol. This is slightly muted on the nose, but then on the palate it has lovely elegance and focus, with sweet cherry and raspberry fruit and some subtle spicy oak. There’s nice complexity here. Juicy with good energy and nice acid line, with a tapering red fruit finish. Very stylish with promise for the future. 93/100
