Brick House Pinot noir Cuvee du Tonnelier 07
winery: Brick House
Brick House Cuvee du Tonnelier Pinot noir 07 shows the essence of the winery's style. Delicate floral, culinary herb, and white pepper aromas mingle with crushed red fruit. The core of juicy raspberry is backed by fine tannins, suggesting good ageability.
Previous vintage, 2006 tasting notes: 92 points Wine Spectator! "Lithe in texture, with refined tannins, wrapping around a glowing core of raspberry, cherry and cinnamon flavors, drifting through the finish as if unmoored from the crisp, mouthwatering structure. Best from 2009 through 2016. 425 cases made. H.S."
Previous vintage tasting notes: Intriguing, classic, a Pinot for winelovers who like to savor and discuss great Burgundies, this wine is very very young in January 2006. With age, this wine will delight lovers of fine French styled Pinot noir.
In the nose, the wine showed delicate herbal notes when first opened, then blossomed with scents of red raspberry, black raspberry, red currant, cranberry, and hints of violet perfume. Flavors when first opened were restrained, with red raspberry dominant. As the wine opened with decanting, a bright, spicy acidity and somewhat dry tannins were evident, softening to show viscous red raspberry, black raspberry, hints of wood char expressed as graphite, a tantalizing hint of fresh mown hay, and essence of red clay soil on a hot summer day. The finish was long and silky, and got longer and longer as the wine opened. The delightful, fresh, spice, violets and firm tannins say "classic Pinot, age me and be rewarded". Doug is known for making Pinots with firm tannins in the wines' youth. This is not fruit bomb wine- it's classically styled, old world Pinot noir, meant to be aged (here from 7-12 years). If you enjoy the wines of Evesham Wood, Thomas, and St Innocent, you'll find great satisfaction with this beautiful expression of terroir and style. Cuvee du Tonnelier (blend of barrelmaker) is named in honor of owner and winemaker Doug Tunnell's ancestors in France, who were barrel makers (Tonnelier became Tunnell). Very limited.
MORE INFORMATION
2003 Rating: Wine Spectator rating 90 points: "Firm. The tannins overplay the flavors at this point, but the currant, cherry, and earthy cinnamon emerge on subsequent sips, lingering well. Give it time. Best from 2006 through 2010. 400 cases made." H.S.
