2016 Brick House Vineyards, Gamay Noir, Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
The true Gamay Noir by Brick House is a rare and beautiful treat, Doug Tunnell has been making this since 1995 and has been a champion of the grape ever since, crafting it in a non carbonic traditional fermentation that gives it a more subtle and Pinot like character. This is textural and delicately fruited Brick House Gamay comes from their Ribbon Ridge estate vines set on the marine sedimentary soils of the region, and even in a ripe vintage as this 2016 certainly is, this wine shows wonderful vibrancy, highlighting the grape’s great natural acidity. The brilliantly garnet hue with hint of purple and bright edges in the glass is visually pleasing, but it’s fine medium bodied palate that really shines with layers of earthy dark fruits, spice and hints of crushed flowers, minty herbs and walnut/cedar notes. Brick House, founded in 1990, is all biodynamic and certified as such, and the vineyards are alive with bio-diversity that Tunnell believes sets his wines apart, especially his amazing Pinot Noir(s) which are legendary and Oregon classics, but one shouldn’t over look his Chardonnay, one of the best in the Willamette Valley and of course his unique Gamay. This 2016 Brick House Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge estate shows deep black cherry, cranberry, plum and a hint of blueberry fruits along with a touch of cinnamon, anise after air in the glass adding these details to the first impression mentioned above, it’s a satiny wine that flows with seamless precision in the mouth and lingers on finish in graceful elegance. This is lovely stuff that drinks beautifully right now, it’s hard to say if you should age it further to be honest, but it should go at least 3 to 5 years with no problem, it has elements that remind me a little bit of some of the greats from Morgon like Foillard even though this is a more singular and distinct wine of place. It’s a very individual expression with Tunnell’s signature written all over it, it’s always hard to get, but worth the search, drink up!
($28 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
