As we slowly bid adieu to another great Oregon Wine Month we bring you the beautiful wines of Brick House, one of the great producers of Oregon Pinot Noir. A native Oregonian, Doug Tunnell was raised in West Linn, Oregon and traveled around Europe, working as a correspondent for CBS News. After some time he decided to settle back in Oregon, feeling that the Ribbon Ridge AVA was the perfect spot for both Pinot Noir and Gamay. Doug purchased the Brick House Vineyard in 1990, and then planted Pinot Noir, followed by Gamay. Doug consistently crafts some of the best Oregon Pinot Noir and Gamay, helping the consumer with relatively low prices.
He has created a gorgeous new Chardonnay, his 2017 Brick House ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay (WWB, 93) which has massive verve and tension, as this is a highly Burgundian rendition. I absolutely loved the 2018 Brick House ‘Due East’ Gamay (WWB, 93) which is one of the best new world bottling of Gamay that you will find. Even better was the scintillating 2017 Brick House ‘Evelyn’s’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94), a brilliant tribute to Doug’s mother which has marvelous texture and really good range. Learn more about these completely delicious, age-worthy wines at https://brickhousewines.com Here are the downright awesome new release wines by Brick House.
2017 Brick House ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay- Sourced from old vine Ribbon Ridge AVA plantings of Chardonnay, the 2017 ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay opens with layers of vanilla cream and shades of apricot and Pazzaz apple that all mingle in the glass. The palate is lively, with a great degree of minerality. Layers of nutmeg infused Challah bread and Pink Lady apple deftly combine with whipping cream and earthy undertones of the wine. Highly novel and Burgundian, the beautiful 2017 ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay will enjoy at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Brick House ‘Due East’ Gamay- This shows off spicy aromas that mingle with ripe red cherry and cran-pomrgrnate tones on this exotic nose. The palate has tons of freshness and gobs of mineralitty, as your mouth literally waters throughout this drinking experience. Layers of pretty red fruits and rose water combine with Mandarin orange rind and peat moss tones. This has a wonderful sense of elegance, with really good length. Truly one of a kind, the 2018 ‘Due East’ Gamay will enjoy many years ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Brick House ‘Select’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Select’ Pinot Noir is another stunning new wine by the talented Doug Tunnell. Priced right at just north of thirty dollars, this delivers plenty of appeal with its pretty red fruits, bright acidity and great sense of texture. Juicy and forward, yet showing a nice err of elegance, this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 Brick House ‘Cuvee de Tonnelier’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Cuvee de Tonnelier’ is a Pommard clone Pinot Noir that pays tribute to legacy of the winemaker’s father whose family were “tonneliers” or coopers in 17th century France. While not quite as complex as the other Pinot Noir wines, the gratifying mouthfeel and gorgeous sense of texture really impresses, as bright Bing cherry, red raspberry puree, peat moss and orange rind tones really impress. Marvelous now, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 Brick House ‘Les Dijonnais’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Les Dijonnais’ is another compelling Ribbon Ridge AVA bottling by the talented Doug Tunnell. A barrel selection wine from the warmest part of the vineyard, the 2017 ‘Les Dijonnais’ shows a dusting of white pepper and forest floor that combine with sage and peat moss tones alongside pomegranate seed on this expressive bouquet. The palate has good freshness a silky texture as a light layer of salinity mingles with the core of guava and red cherry preserves. Complex and downright delicious to enjoy in its youth, the 2018 ‘Les Dijonnais’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2017 Brick House ‘Evelyn’s’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Evelyn’s’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous new wine that utilizes an equal percentage of Dijon and Pommard clones. Aged for sixteen months in slightly more new French oak than the other bottlings, this great wine, named after the winemaker’s mother, shows peat moss and damp earth aromas that meld with shades of kumquat zest and red cherry candy. The palate is plush, showing a great sense of texture and gobs of mouth-watering acidity that creates immediate appeal. The length of the wine is really gratifying, as is the sense of balance here, as all of the moving pieces work in harmony. Gorgeous to savor in its youth, the 2017 Brick House ‘Evelyn’s’ Pinot Noir will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 94