Pinot Noir Evelyn's, Brick House Vineyards and Wine Company 2023

The 2023 Pinot Noir Evelyn's smolders up from the glass, with licorice and sage mingling with stone dust and balsamic black cherries. Perfumed and silken in character, it offers depths of tart red and black fruits that saturate, balanced by zesty acidity. The palate buzzes with tension as fine tannins mingle with violet inner florals and a hint of citrus through the dramatically long finish. Brick House continues to impress with its energetic and fruit-intense style. (Drink between 2028-2036)

The 2023 Pinot Noir Evelyn's was fermented with 62% whole clusters and matured in 50% new oak. It has savory aromas of wild berries, mixed tea leaves, leather, mossy bark and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and spicy. It’s structured by loads of velvety tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, layered finish. 200 cases were made.

The 2023 Pinot Noir “Evelyn’s” cuvée from Brick House Wines is another absolutely stellar new release from Doug Tunnell. As I have mentioned in the past, this is a barrel selection from the cellar, with an eye towards crafting a long-distance runner for extended cellaring that is only made in very top vintages. The 2023 version is aromatically superb, wafting from the glass in a mix of red and black cherries, dark berries, raw cocoa, a touch of smoked meats, a fine base of soil, gentle smokiness, sweet stem tones that are already starting to get a bit cinnamony, a touch of nutskin and a suave framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is pure, precise, full-bodied and complex, with a sappy core of fruit, superb soil signature and grip, fine-grained tannins and impeccable balance on the long, classy finish. Great juice. (Drink between 2037-2085)