Briceland Vineyards Tasting
Briceland, CA
Tasted Sunday, November 13, 2016 by isaacjamesbaker with 196 views
Introduction
I had a blast visiting with Andrew Morris, who welcomed me into his home and poured me a wide range of his wines. This Humboldt County spot is absolutely gorgeous (I was camping near Shelter Cove and made the drive one morning), and the wines are thrilling. Bright, crisp, clean, refreshing, Burgundian in style. Their Pinots are so crisp and red-fruited, same goes for the Zinfandels, which are some of the most interesting I've tasted in a long time. Great times.
2015 Briceland Vineyards Gewürztraminer Ishi Pishi Ranch 89 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
An exciting, zesty, bone-dry version with tropical fruit and floral spice on the nose. Crisp acidity, medium-bodied with a slightly creamy mouthfeel and flavors of peaches, guava and honey to mix with minerals and white pepper. Delicious, lip-smacking, endless food pairing options.
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2015 Briceland Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Humboldt County 88 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
A vibrant and zesty Sauvignon Blanc with white pepper, lemon and peach aromas. Crisp and very bright with complex elements of salty spice to accent the lemon and green melon fruit.
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2014 Briceland Vineyards Arneis Spirit Canyon Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Smells of peaches, white flowers, lemon oil and a hint of pepper. So bright and clean on the palate with a salty appeal on top of lemon, orange peel and kiwi fruit. Delicious, nervy and intriguing. Not much Arneis in California, but Mendocino is home to some very good stuff.
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2014 Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
Very pretty aromas of tart and spicy cherries, mint and earth. Bright acidity and moderately structured tannins, the cherries are crunchy and delicious and laced with notes of sweet flowers, strawberry greens, clove and an underlying mineral freshness. An eye-opening wine.
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2013 Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir Ronda's Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
Aromas of gushing cherries and raspberries, lots of rose petal and eucalyptus, too. Lush palate with soft tannins and bright, crisp acidity. Waves of tar black cherries and strawberries, the fruit is laced with notes of spicy clove, wet leaves and mossy earth. Complex, vibrant, straight-up delicious. A uniquely Humboldt Pinot that hails from a 1,600 foot, South-facing slope planted in 1983.
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2013 Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir Phelps Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
Aromas of juicier, darker cherries with some raspberries and fresh herbal notes. Juicy and fleshy but structured tannins and crisp acidity. Flavors of cola, rhubarb and raspberry leaf tea accent the cherry and strawberry fruit. Lovely spicy complexity.
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2013 Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir Alderpoint Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
These Pinots keep on firing. This one shows more smoky earth, violets, savory spices on top of juicy cherries. Smooth, fresh and juicy with complex spice, leather and earth accents on top of tart strawberries and cherries, hints of cola and eucalyptus.
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2014 Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir Alderpoint Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
Sweeter cherry fruit than the 2013, with that same spicy/savory quality and smoky earth. Silky, smooth but tart acidity, the tart red fruit is complex and so bright. Notes of earth, clove, savory mushrooms. Wow, such a pretty wine. It opened up a lot (as friends and I drank the rest of the bottle with dinner). Huge hit.
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2014 Briceland Vineyards Zinfandel Ishi Pishi Ranch 91 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
Love the aromas of tart red fruit and spice. Silky, fresh and spicy with rose petals, earth and spice. Wow. If tasted blind, I could see mistaking this for a Pinot but, when sipped after Briceland Pinots, this shows more sweet flowers and earth. Lovely stuff.
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2014 Briceland Vineyards Zinfandel Dark Horse Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
This vineyard shows aromas of darker cherries and clove. The fruit is (relatively) darker than the Ishi Pishi, showing more black cherry and blackberry, but still so fresh with medium/light tannins. I get notes of clove, tobacco and cola. A vibrant Zinfandel, very interesting to taste back-to-back with the Ishi Pishi Ranch.
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2014 Briceland Vineyards Syrah Ishi Pishi Ranch 91 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
Gorgeous aromas of red and black currants topped in black pepper, roasted red pepper and charred herbs. Juicy and so darn fresh on the palate with moderate/light tannic structure. Red cherries, a touch of black cherry, topped in scorched earth, violets, black pepper, beef broth and cured meat. Delicious flavors, this is an intriguing and complex Syrah.
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2014 Briceland Vineyards Syrah Dark Horse Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Smells like juicy black cherries, leather and spicy pepper. Chewier texture than the Ishi Pishi Ranch, this shows bright acid and medium/light tannins. Red and black cherries topped with pepper, violets and baking spices. So fun and juicy but surprisingly complex.
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2012 Briceland Vineyards Noir D'Orleans Ishi Pishi Ranch 90 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County
Smells of dark plums and currants topped in loam and spicy clove. Rich but fresh, tart and vibrant, structured nicely with firm tannins. Bright black currant and crunchy plums and notes of peppercorns, roasted red pepper, loamy earth and spiced coffee. Seems like a good one to bury for a few years. Dominated by Petit Verdot, with some other Bordeaux varieties.
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