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Ponzi Vineyards 2012 Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $35

By on November 14, 2014

Ponzi 2011 Reserve ChardonnayLuisa Ponzi relies on three sites in the Chehalem Mountains — Alloro and family vineyards Aurora and Avellana — as well as Thistle Vineyard in the Dundee Hills for this reserve production of Chardonnay. Her barrel program for this is 25 percent new French oak on the lees for six months, then 12 months in neutral oak and bottle aging for three months. The nose is remarkable with bright lemony notes and hints of pear, Granny Smith apple, starfruit, toasted almond, brioche and lemon pepper. Those fruity notes echo on the palate with brilliant acidity, cast among a midpalate of starfruit and lemon oil as the apple and pear flavors pulse through to the finish.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 800 cases

Alcohol: 13.8%

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About Eric Degerman

Eric Degerman is the President and CEO of Great Northwest Wine. He is a journalist with more than 30 years of daily newspaper experience and has been writing about wine since 1998. He co-founded Wine Press Northwest magazine with Andy Perdue and served as its managing editor for a decade. He is a frequent wine judge at international wine competitions throughout North America and orchestrates 10 Northwest competitions each year.

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