Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir Ronda's Vineyard

Excellent

What struck me the most about this wine was the purity of fruit. It was like the grapes made the wine themselves. Red raspberry, red cherry and strawberry. Over time some more of the earthy tones came out. Lots of good structure. Everything in balance, nothing protruding. This might be the purest Pinot I’ve tasted to date in ‘23. Glad I’ve got another bottle to check out in 3-5 more years.

13.6%. Organically farmed grapes. 139 cases produced. Popped and poured 200ml, the rest filled an airtight 500ml resealable bottle to the top. Cork is some kind of composite, not very long. Unlike the cork, this wine seems to be built for the long haul. Opens up nicely in the glass. My initial impression is along the lines of Maphill01's note of 25 Feb 2023. Will update on later tastings.

Splash decanted, followed over the evening. Nose of violet flowers. On the palate wild strawberry, raspberry cranberry and some orange peel. Medium body, medium+ acidity. Still fairly structured, but the tannins, acid and fruit are all in balance. Drink now with some air for its energetic deliciousness, or wait a few years for additional development. Glad to have a few more of this classic cool climate Pinot.

Aroma of white flowers, dark red berries and a dash of spice. The palate reveals dark red berries, white florals and the barest bit of spice. Savory and a touch brooding on the palate, with good acidity and elegant tannins. Should drink well for another 7-10 years. Note that fruit was a bit more cranberry-like upon opening. Strongly suggest giving this wine at least an hour of air, or enough time to let the wine transform over the course of …

Medium ruby. A pleasant touch of barnyard. As some notes below suggest, this may be a notch below the fabulous 15, but it is lovely indeed. Highly enjoyable over three nights, fading only very slightly at the end.

First opened I really liked the old world taste of this Pinot... After a glass. It seemed to lose its edge and became more 1 dimensional fruity profile. Others in my party didn't see this though.

Well made pinot. PnP has dark berry fruit profile, and a hint of maybe previously-frozen-but-thawed-out strawberry. A little flabby initially, and a bit light on acidity, but nice tannin and very quaffable. Will see where this goes on Day 2. For the price this is a crazy good deal.

Andrew Morris at Briceland Vineyards Winery is making world-class Pinot in an unexpected place. His 2015 Ronda’s Vineyard was recently lauded as “worthy of the history books” and “the singular, reference point for Humboldt’s Burgundian terroir.” We put the ‘15 and ‘16 side-by-side tonight. At pop-and-pour the two wines were radically different. The ‘15 came across with Old World styling — mushroom and forest floor on the nose, cherry up front and baking spice on the finish. It could easily …

Intense aromas of florals and spice leap out of the glass. Dark red fruited, with white florals and a pronounced savory note that gains prominence on the finish. Air shades the fruit darker still. The structure is evident, with crisp acidity and noticeable tannins. Giving pleasure now, but this is still young and brooding. A serious Ronda's that will improve with moderate aging. If drinking now, a decant of 1-2 hours is warranted. Day two and the wine has settled …