Vineyard: Aurora

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Ponzi Vineyards (6.52 1/30/2008)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.21 11/22/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted Chardonnay (10.21 11/22/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted White Wines (10.12 6/14/2015)
Ponzi Vineyards: 40 Years (8.30 1/27/2011)
Final Oregon Wine Reviews of 2016 (10.44 12/13/2016)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Ponzi Vineyards

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 Ponzi Willamette Valley Pinot Blanc

13.4% alc., pH 3.23, RS 1.8 g/L, $20, screwcap. Sourced from Aurora Vineyard (Ponzi’s LIVE Certified Sustainable vineyard - 74%), Zenith Vineyard (19%) and Thistle Vineyard (7%). Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation prohibited. · Very light golden yellow color in the glass. Demure aromas of poached pear, nectarine and honey lead to a light bodied, but flavorful, core of white stone fruits with a hint of citrus. A delicate, but pleasant wine with a slightly sweet finish. This wine is more akin to Pinot Gris than Chardonnay and will pair well with shellfish and quiche. Score: 88. Reviewed June 14, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Ponzi Reserve Willamette Valley Chardonnay

13.4% alc., pH 3.46, 1,350 cases, $35. Released July 2015. A blend of LIVE Certified Sustainable fruit from Ponzi’s Aurora and Avellana vineyards, as well as fruit from Sunset View and Thistle vineyards. Whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented using partial wild yeast. 100% malolactic fermentation. Lees stirring once a week for 6 months and racked after 12 months to neutral oak. After 20 months of barrel age, blended and bottled. Aged in bottle 3 months before release. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Appealing aromas of lemon-lime soda, lemon curd, brioche and saline. Slightly viscous on the palate and very suave and clean, with flavors of lemon, yellow apple, spice and vanilla wafer. Gorgeous balance with a bright, citrus driven finish of uncommon length for a Chardonnay. Score: 92. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Ponzi Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., pH 3.68, $40. Released September 2015. A blend from Ponzi’s Aurora and Avellana vineyards as well as nine other vineyards. 5-day cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 35% new, and aged 5 months in bottle. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very little black cherry fruit on the nose with a strong cigar box scent. Mid weight core of black cherry fruit with complimentary oak and spice accents, backed by svelte tannins. Easy to drink, with a modest finish. Score: 87. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Ponzi Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., pH 3.55, 1,250 cases, $60. A blend of LIVE Certified Sustainable fruit from Ponzi’s Aurora, Abetina and Madrona vineyards, as well as fruit from Linda Vista, Kason, Zenith and Walnut Ridge vineyards. Primarily grapes grown in Laurelwood soils in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, 7-day post-fermentation maceration, and aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered and aged an additional 5 months before release. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasing aromas of cherry, raspberry, herbs, nuts and nori. The array of darker red cherry and berry fruit really sparkles on the palate which offers added accents of black tea, savory dried herbs and toasty oak. Silky tannins add a seductive mouthfeel. This is a giving wine upon opening, but becomes noticeably better over time in the glass. Decant or hold in your cellar for full enjoyment. Score: 91. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Ponzi Abetina 2 Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.60,125 cases, $145. Released September 2013. A single vineyard cuvée crafted from Abetina 2 block at Ponzi’s LIVE Certified Sustainable Aurora Vineyard. 100% de-stemmed, fermented in small lots after a 5-day cold soak. Fermenters were aerated or manually punched down twice a day for 12-20 days before undergoing a 7-day postfermentation maceration. The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Bottled without fining or filtration and aged in bottle for 5 months before release. · This wine disappoints at this price level except for an incredibly long finish. The nose is oak driven with aromas of char and toast with very little berry fruit, even when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. The mid weight core of purple grape and black raspberry fruits have charm and are more expressive on the palate. The barrel treatment is noticeable evident in the background. There is good energy and vibrancy, the tannins are gracious, and the finish is extraordinarily lengthy. Score: 90. Reviewed December 13, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Ponzi Vineyards Aurora Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.70, 50 cases, $100, etched bottle. Over 70 acres, first established in 1991. This bottling comes from a special section planted as own rooted Dijon clone 777 in 1995. 100% de-stemmed. 7-day post-fermentation maceration. Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered and aged 5 months in bottle before release. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Offering very little charm on the nose with demure scents of dark red fruits, polished woods and brioche. Intense and mouth coating flavors of dark red cherries and raspberries, with a citrus note in the background. The massive fruit is largely buried in substantial tannins and the wine is not offering the whole package at this time. Much better two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. A little more showy and youthful than the companion Abetina Vineyard bottling. Cellar at least 3 to 5 years and then open the wine on a special occasion. Reviewed January 27, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Ponzi Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.6% alc., $60, 3,000 cases. Sourced primarily from the Chehalem Mountain AVA including estate Madrona, Aurora and Abetina vineyards. Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak. · Aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak. This has a “Oh! My God” nose showing crushed black cherries and baking spices. Very lovely. Dark berry-cherry fruit which is velvety on the palate. Seamless. Very good and maybe even orgasmic. Don’t miss this one. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »