The "Weekend Before" in the Willamette Valley - Brick House

WINE TALK
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Be kind. I didn’t write this for wine geeks so there’s some stuff in there that is elementary for most of us, but the story of my visit to BH can be seen here.

Ayres, Belle Pente, Seven of Hearts and Westrey coming up.

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Bob;

Very nice review of a wonderful WV winery. Brickhouse does a wonderful job, and I love their chards as much as the primary pinots.

Only exception to your review I might take is Alan. I always considered him an employee, but a delightful part of Brickhouse. Part of the sole of the place. Is he not really an employee? What is his relationship then?

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I don’t know, but he reminds me of Gen. Custer.

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I could never do the mustache! Alan makes tastings at Brickhouse just special and memorable.

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I was also at Brickhouse on Saturday and concur that Doug makes one of the best chardonnay (in addition to pinot noir) in Oregon. Mentioned by Bob but not tasting at the winery was his gamay noir, which is my pick for Thanksgiving wine. Drink now for rustic thrills and age for more secondary flavors. Alan is a neighboring landowner to Brickhouse turned employee. He used to make a mean apple brandy from an apple orchard on his property, now converting to grapes. He also plays in a popular local bluegrass/oldtimey/celtic band called “Rendezvous String Band”. Laid back and knowledgeable, he is a great ambassador.

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Bob - I enjoyed the article and nice addition of pics.
I was up there earlier this year for my second time. I haven’t met Doug yet but was lucky enough to meet with Alan both times. Each visit has been a pleasure to sit and talk wine with him. He knows his stuff for sure. I need to check out this band of his. One of my favorite Chardonnay’s to date has been the 2006 BH Cascadia. One left in the cellar which I won’t touch for many years to see where it goes. They will be a must stop each time I go back.

Side note - Just had my 30th bday two weeks ago. I got two framed pictures from my girlfriend. One was a 24x18 pic of the Oregon coast that we took, and one was a view out behind the tasting room at BH of the vineyard. Now I get to torture myself every day of the year wishing I lived just down the road. Argh.

Again - Nice job on the BH review

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Thanks, Josh. The picture on my blog is of pinot noir to the east of the barn at Brick House on Labor Day weekend this year.

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We had a great visit there last year. Agree on the Chards, very nice. The pix bring back some memories.

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Bob, congrats on your foray into the blogosphere. Nice piece. Happy to have some 07 BH Dijonnais and you’ve made me curious about the Gamay.

RT

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Golf clap for Bob.
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Thanks for the info and very nice writing.

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Bob, it was great to see you on Saturday. Doug’s Gamay is always a wonderful wine, and the 2008 version is the best ever IMO - big, rich Gamay with a lot of black cherry and blackberry flavors, along with the characteristic rose petal. The wine also has the structure to last at least a decade. It has become very popular and will be hard to find. We ran out at the winery early Sunday.

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Based on what Rick wrote, you may have to remain curious.