Pinot noir, Brickhouse Vineyard 2001


	2001 Pinot Noir Brickhouse Vineyard Release Date: 9/2003 Availability: 296 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 50% 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: 2.3 tons/acre Harvest: 10/6/01 Bottled: May 2003 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. Yields were down in 2001, and we produced 80 less cases than in 2000.

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. Brickhouse vineyard Pinot noirs age beautifully, both the 1995, 1996 & 1997 vintages are awsome now.

Tasting Notes
This is our last and is possibly the best Brickhouse Vineyard Pinot noir that I have ever made. Its aromas are rich and sweet. The mouth has lovely concentration of fruit with many layered nuances. It has the greatest clarity of its signature red and black raspberries in this vintage. The spice aromas are mixed with hints of allspice and cloves. This wine has the most Burgundian nose of any of my Pinot noirs. I expect the 2001 Brickhouse Vineyard Pinot noir to peak at 6-8 years.

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