Pinot noir, Brickhouse Vineyard 2000


	2000 Pinot Noir Brickhouse Vineyard Release Date: 9/2002 Availability: 362 cases Price: $34/bottle Production Notes Brickhouse Vineyard is located on an east-facing slope overlooking the Chehalem valley at an elevation of 440'. The bowl-shaped site, blessed with Willakenzie soil and planted in 1990 with organically certified Pinot noir grapes, is protected from the prevailing winds by the Dundee Hills. The grapes were fermented in a small tank after three days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 19 months without racking or fining in 46% new oak barrels and will not be filtered. A small amount of sediment may accumulate during the aging process and is normal for wine produced in this manner. Crop Level: 2.6 tons/acre Harvest: 10/4/00 Bottled: May 2002 This Pinot noir complements a wide variety of entrees - especially those with sauces made with berry, spice , and pepper flavors - salmon, lamb chops, game birds. The wine will benefit from aging up to 8 years.

Winemaker Notes

Brickhouse Vineyard is located in the hills north of McMinnville and Dundee known as Ribbon Ridge. The vineyard is farmed organically by Doug Tunnell and was planted in 1990. Our grapes come from a SE-facing, two-acre block planted with the Pommard clone of pinot noir. We produced our first Brickhouse designated wine in 1995. Our last vintage was in 2001, after which the vineyard will produce and bottle all their fruit.

The wine has layered aromas and flavors of spice, red, and black raspberries. As the wine ages, it gains layers of flavors and a certain wildness that reminds me of older Burgundies. It is best at 5-8 years of age. The ability of Brickhouse to age beautifully was emphasized in Minneapolis when I showed both the 1995 & 1996 vintages during a marketing trip. Both were awesome.

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