For many years iI have visited one of the outstanding producers set in the Dundee Hills.During my visit visit back in 2007 I was greeted relaxed atmosphere to taste their wines, De Ponte produces a range of great Pinot Noir bottling and one of the best Melon de Bourgogne wines in North America, their ‘D.F.B.’ First started by the Baldwin family in 1999, De Ponte is named after the matriarch of the Baldwin family, Shirley Baldwin. De Ponte, her maiden name which is of Portuguese origin, honors her father who grew grapes and made his own wine in California's San Joaquin Valley. De Ponte released its first Pinot Noir in 2001, as it leans on the talented Isabelle Dutartre for all winemaking. Dutartre is originally from Burgundy in France and you will find that no surprise when you taste these highly Burgundian wines. Vines planted are set on ancient volcanic soils with clay loam influence.
The new wines by Dutartre were awesome across the board. I loved the new 2018 De Ponte ‘Dundee Hills’ Chardonnay (WWB, 92) which shows great Burgundian, earthy tones and a magical mouthfeel. I loved the new 2017 De Ponte ’Baldwin Reserve’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which has lovely volcanic terroir alongside a core of deep dark fruits and subtle earthy tones Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.depontecellars.com Here are the exciting new releasees by De Ponte.
2018 Clay Hill Chardonnay- The Clay Hill Chardonnay shows good brightness and intensity with medium-bodied orchard fruit and lemon zest flavors with lighter buttered French bread accents. This is seriously good stuff for the price.
2018 De Ponte ‘Dundee Hills’ Chardonnay-The De Ponte Chardonnay opens with pear and nutmeg accents that combine with shades of salted Macadamia nut and brioche tones that take shape in the glass. The palate has great freshness and verve with juicy melon and Gala apple flavors that combine with the sourdough bread and greats sense of minerality. This is just an awesome effort by De Ponte. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 De Ponte ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir shows good range from cola and peat moss tones that collide with a good range of dark fruits and citrus rind accents. The palate has good freshness and balance with a deep core of huckleberry and wild blackberry flavors alongside some lighter earthy undertones. This is just an awesome new entry level wine by De Ponte. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2017 De Ponte ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir by De Ponte is a thrilling new wine by this storied Dundee Hills estate. Deeply perfumed and enticing, the wine leads with its rich core of dark fruits with damp earth, black tea and peat moss tones that all mingle in the glass. The palate has a great combination of freshness and weight with rich blackberry cobbler, underbrush, teaberry and orange zest flavors alongside shades of wild mushroom. Showing great weight and balance, the ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2032- 92
2017 De Ponte ‘Lonesome Rock Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The ’Lonesome Rock Ranch’ is a rocky soiled, 30-acre vineyard located near the Coastal Range. The stony terroir aromatically is downright awesome as red cherry and red raspberry aromas dance with the earthy tones. The palate shows great freshness and a light dusting of salinity that adds to the enjoyment. Damp earth and peat moss tones collide with copious minerals and bright red fruits with cran-orange accents on the palate. Enjoy this great effort over the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 92
2017 De Ponte ‘Baldwin Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir- This wine is named after Shirley Baldwin, the who is the matriarch of the Baldwin family. Her father, Manuel de Ponte, made his own wine out of grapes he planted in California's San Joaquin Valley. This shows a deep core with layers of damp earth that meld with wild blackberry and orange rind that all take place in the glass. The palate has marvelous volcanic terroir with deep black tea and blackberry flavors that combine with the lighter citrus rind and damp earthy tones of the wine. Truly fantastic now, the 2017 ‘Baldwin Reserve’ Pinot Noir will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 93