Vineyard: Brousseau

AppellationChalone
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Fulcrum Brosseau Vineyard Chalone AVA Pinot Noir

14.1% alc.,103 cases, $60. Clones 113, 114, 115 and Mt. Eden. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Enviable aromas of dusty black cherry, earth, stone and iron are followed on the palate by mid weight flavors of fresh black cherry and red currant with an earthy thread in the background. Graceful tannins, impeccable balance and a purposeful finish replete with cherry aroma. Still superb when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating potential for longevity. Score: 93. Reviewed March 29, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Fulcrum Brousseau Vineyard Chalone AVA Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 143 cases, $58. Clones 113, 114 and 115. Aged 15 months in French oak, 35% new. · Dark reddish purple hue in the glass. Earthbound aromas of boysenberry and blackberry with a hint of oil slick. Smooth on the palate, but husky in character, with mid weight plus flavors of purple and black berries. This vineyard tends to produce a highly structured wine, and the tannins are evident but supportive without being intrusive in this wine. The finish is replete with gorgeous purple fruit that seems to persist for over half a minute. Score: 92. Reviewed August 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Cellars 33 Brousseau Vineyard Chalone AVA Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.50, 120 cases, $42. Released August 26, 2014. Harvest Brix 23.8º. Soils of limestone and decomposed granite. Vineyard is certified organic. Mt. Eden clone planted in 1981 and more recently planted Pommard clone. 15% whole cluster, native yeast fermentation. Aged 16 months in 100% neutral French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. This wine was tasted twice.The nose exhibited a range of aromas initially including earth, leaf, conifer, oak, and a pungent note of volatile acidity in one bottle. Sampled several hours later, the nose was considerably more pleasing with resolution of the volatile acidity, and aromas of cherry, spicy black raspberry, herbs and earthy flora. The sweet core of earthy blackberry, black plum and cassis flavors displayed good richness. The tannins were modest in one bottle, but aggressive and astringent in a second bottle. Score: 87. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Fulcrum Brousseau Vineyard Chalone AVA Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.61, 148 cases, $55. This unique site has limestone soils. Third vintage from this vineyard. Aged 16 months in 33% new French oak. · Distinctly darker in color with a deep purple tone. The nose is rich with aromas of blackberry jam, ollaliberry, spice and campfire. Although rich with serious extract, the wine is beautifully balanced and caressing with husky, but not overbearing tannins. The delicious flavors of dark berries, currants, and plum are juicy and persist on the expansive finish that echoes with waves of earthbound dark fruits. This is a terroir-driven wine and clearly the best I have ever had from this vineyard. Brousseau Pinot Noir is typically black fruited with imposing tannins, but this wine is tamed and refined. Hat’s off to David! Even better the following day with a smoother presence. Score: 94. Reviewed October 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Fulcrum Brosseau Vineyard Chalone AVA Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 101 cases, $54. Clones 113, 114 and 115. Aged 16 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red cherries, raspberries, pomegranates, spice and oak. The flavors replicate the nose and have appeal, but lack intensity. Muscular but not aggressive tannins dictate the texture which is typical of this site. A rather elegant fruit expression of this vineyard reflective of the vintage. About the same the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Good (+). Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Bougetz Cellars Brousseau Vineyard Chalone Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $39. Crafted under thedirection of Tom Bougetz. · First bottle corked. Second bottle reviewed. Moderately deep reddish-purple robe in the glass. Appealing aromas of well-spiced black berries. Generous core of perfectly ripe, sweet, and earth-kissed black cherries and black raspberries lingering on the fruit-driven, slightly hot, finish. Good. Reviewed July 23, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Harrington Brousseau Vineyard Chalone Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.54, 125 cases, $40. This vineyard is located within a mile of the Pinnacles National Monument and is known for the limestone strata in the soils. Clone 538. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately dark ruby color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry jam, bay leaf, cut flowers and green garden. Rugged core of blackberry and black plum fruit with underpinnings of earth, cola and seasoned oak. The unbridled tannins are typical of this vineyard as is the unshaven character. The wine shed its whiskers and drank much better with softening of tannins and emergence of more charm two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating this wine should be decanted if opened now. Very Good. Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Harrington Brosseau Vineyard Chalone Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.52, 132 cases, $50. This site is known for the limestone strata pushed up from a million-year-old seabed by the nearby volcano. Clone 538. Aged 10 months in French oak. · With some time in the glass, this wine explodes with bright black fruits enhanced by aromas of restrained oak-driven spice and toast. More fullness, more creamy fruit and more pizzazz than other wines in the lineup. The black raspberry and blackberry fruit core is mouth filling but not jammy. Despite its prodigious fruit, this is a pretty wine that finishes light with a memorable lingering aromatic presence. There is a healthy tannic backbone and perfectly balanced acidity predicting good age ability. The best wine I have ever had from this vineyard. Reviewed September 5, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »