Driven by a passion to make world class Pinot Noir, Dick and Nancy Ponzi purchased a small, 20-acre plot just southwest of Portland, Oregon. Most thought that the Pacific Northwest was not ideally suited to Pinot Noir, but the Ponzi’s recognized the northern Willamette Valley’s cool-climate was perfect for Burgundian ... more

An alluring bouquet of toast, spice box, mineral, earth notes, raspberry, and cherry. Mouth-coating on the palate, it has layered savory fruit, ripe tannin, lively acidity, outstanding concentration, and a lengthy, pure finish. more

Cool weather in September delayed ripening, and the threat of rain was ever present as it had been in 2007. But unlike the previous vintage, when rain challenged the harvest late, the sun came out in October, the clouds dispersed and a late season warming trend hit the Dundee Hills. ... more

The Eileen Vineyard is the northern-most vineyard in the Cristom plot. The 12 acres are planted with 4 different Pinot Noir clones including the pommard clone. At 550 - 700 feet above sea level, it provides an ideal climate and growing conditions for the fruit. The vines were planted in ... more

The 2007 Mt Jefferson Cuvee is light ruby in color. It has a dusty and cinnamon-scented nose that is reminiscent of a village level Burgundy. It shows off the elegant style of the 2007 vintage with cran-raspberry and higher tone red-fruit notes on the palate. In typical Mt Jefferson style, ... more

We immediately gave the Witness Tree an “SG” award. Depth and complexity with rich fruit and broad tannins. Absolutely gorgeous bottle of Pinot Noir. It had me at the nose.  more

The 15-acre Eileen Vineyard is a group of vineyard plots named for Paul Gerrie’s wife. Farmed organically, the vineyard extends to the top of the winery’s property where cooler conditions and the chance to soak up the last sun of the day encourage the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. ... more

Aromas of ripe red raspberries, Bing cherries, floral notes of lilac and violets, barrel spices of cinnamon and clove, and herb de Provence (lavender and green herbal tones/tea leaf). The palate features bramble berry flavors, bright acidity and medium tannins with a real purity of red fruit flavors.  more

The 2009 Siduri Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir is deceptively light in color and yet, once in the mouth the wine shows tremendous richness and complexity. The wine shows somewhat darker flavors than the 2008 with more blueberry and dark, even chocolate covered cherry flavor. On the mid-palate the wine shows ... more

The 2009 vintage was generally cool but punctuated by a timely period of warmth in mid-summer and again toward the end of the growing season. This is evident when we taste the ripe, primary fruit flavors of the 2009 North Valley Pinot Noir. Our diverse vineyard sites provided grapes with ... more

One of my past favorites, I have a soft spot for Domaine Serene as it was the first estate I ever got to barrel taste from. Welcome back to Pinot Noir land folks! Domaine Serene is producing a beautifully styled Pinot that shows grace, elegance and refinement. There is clearly ... more

A blockbuster wine from the Willamette Valley! Black cherry, cassis and black pepper aromas lead into a creamy, broad palate of fresh blackberry, red cherry and violets. A purity of both red and black fruits combined with round tannins provide a lingering finish of baking spice and vanilla. Penner-Ash Wine ... more