Brick House Pinot noir Cuvee du Tonnelier 2010

Review:

At a recent trade tasting, the Brick House table was swamped. Gossip is, the 2010 Brick House wines are exceptionally good this vintage. Extremely collectible (and limited.) This is a vintage of Tonnelier to collect and cellar and make your friends jealous with.

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. 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 Thomas you'll find great satisfaction with this beautiful expression of terroir and style.

About the Wine's Name

Cuvee du Tonnelier can be translated as "blend of the barrel maker" and is named for Doug's ancestors in France, who were barrel makers (Tonnelier became Tunnell,) and to honor for his father.

Brick House's Tonnelier comes from a section of the Estate vineyard planted in 1990. In this part of the site, the vines were planted directly in the ground. Usually these days, vineyard owners graft the actual vine that produces the grapes to the rooted part of a vine that is resistant to disease, for the most part, to the endemic problem of many vineyards, Phyloxera. These older vines are called "self rooted." It is said that self rooted vines make wines with more intense flavors that convey more of the unique qualities of the soil.

2009 Vintage

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92 points

The 2009 Pinot Noir Cuvee de Tonnelier is more structured than the preceding wines. Darker fruits, savory flavors, and excellent concentration form the personality of this lengthy wine. Give it 1-2 years to fully unwind and drink it through 2019. - Jay Miller

2007 Vintage Tasting Notes

The 2007 Cuvee du Tonnelier Pinot noir 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.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 91 Points The 2007 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais is 100% Dijon clone bottled 6 months after the Cuvee de Tonnelier in March 2009. The bouquet displays sandalwood, violets, mineral, spice box, and assorted red fruits. More structured than its sibling, it has plenty of layered, ripe, savory fruit, excellent balance, potential complexity, and a long, pure finish. Drink it from 2011 to 2019.

Doug Tunnell decided to lower the prices of his current releases. The result is several exceptional values that are noted in the Under $25 section of this report. The above 3 wines are outstanding. - Jay Miller

2006 Vintage 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."

2003 Vintage Tasting Notes

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.


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Brick House Pinot noir Cuvee du Tonnelier 2010
Winery: Brick House $44.95 Regular $40.46 in any 12 bottle order or Build a Case Qty.
Review: At a recent trade tasting, the Brick House table was swamped. Gossip is, the 2010 Brick House wines are exceptionally good this vintage. Extremely collectible (and limited.) This is a vintage of Tonnelier to collect and cellar and make your friends jealous with. 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. 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 Thomas you'll find great satisfaction with this beautiful expression of terroir and style. About the Wine's Name Cuvee du Tonnelier can be translated as "blend of the barrel maker" and is named for Doug's ancestors in France, who were barrel makers (Tonnelier became Tunnell,) and to honor for his father. Brick House's Tonnelier comes from a section of the Estate vineyard planted in 1990. In this part of the site, the vines were planted directly in the ground. Usually these days, vineyard owners graft the actual vine that produces the grapes to the rooted part of a vine that is resistant to disease, for the most part, to the endemic problem of many vineyards, Phyloxera. These older vines are called "self rooted." It is said that self rooted vines make wines with more intense flavors that convey more of the unique qualities of the soil. 2009 Vintage Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 92 points The 2009 Pinot Noir Cuvee de Tonnelier is more structured than the preceding wines. Darker fruits, savory flavors, and excellent concentration form the personality of this lengthy wine. Give it 1-2 years to fully unwind and drink it through 2019. - Jay Miller 2007 Vintage Tasting Notes The 2007 Cuvee du Tonnelier Pinot noir 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. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 91 Points The 2007 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais is 100% Dijon clone bottled 6 months after the Cuvee de Tonnelier in March 2009. The bouquet displays sandalwood, violets, mineral, spice box, and assorted red fruits. More structured than its sibling, it has plenty of layered, ripe, savory fruit, excellent balance, potential complexity, and a long, pure finish. Drink it from 2011 to 2019. Doug Tunnell decided to lower the prices of his current releases. The result is several exceptional values that are noted in the Under $25 section of this report. The above 3 wines are outstanding. - Jay Miller 2006 Vintage 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." 2003 Vintage Tasting Notes 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.