Brick & Mortar La Perla Pinot Noir 2014
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From a high-elevation site where the vines enjoy volcanic calcareous soils, this lightly ripe wine is high toned in pomegranate, rhubarb and orange peel, textured with a sense of crushed rock, and easy to love. It is Gamay-like in its delicate brightness and retention of acidity.
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Brick & Mortar produces single vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from high elevation sites in Napa Valley, Sonoma Coast and Mendocino Ridge AVA. They produce Old world style, balanced wines that are bright and structured with low/moderate alcohol and distinct site characteristics. Owners Matt, Alexis and Troy Iaconis also specialize in a highly-acclaimed rosé as well as two unique blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both picked the same day from the same two vineyards, comprised of the exact same blend percentage between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – one as a white wine (Vin Clair) and one as a red wine (Vin Rubis). brick & mortar’s first single vineyard sparkling wine is set to be released in 2019.
The name brick & mortar was founded on the fact the 2011 Pinot Noir would be the foundational wine of the winery. Given that Matt had spent the summer of 2011 in Burgundy, he fell in love with Pinot Noir and the cobblestone towns. When exploring names for the winery, he mentioned that when one goes through difficult times, a strong foundation is needed – and considering the foundation of some of the world’s longest standing buildings is made from many different variations of brick & mortar, the name was a perfect fit.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains sits the Spring Mountain District.
A dynamic region, its vineyards, cut by numerous springs and streams, vary in elevation, slope and aspect. Soils differ throughout with over 20 distinct types inside of the 8,600 acres that define the appellation. Within that area, only about 1,000 are planted to vineyards. Predominantly farmed by small, independent producers, the region currently has just over 30 wineries.
During the growing season, late afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes reach the Spring Mountain vineyards, which sit at between 400 and 1,200 feet. Daytime temperatures during mid summer and early fall remain slightly cooler than those of the valley floor.
Spring Mountain soils—volcanic matter and sedimentary rock—create intense but balanced reds with lush and delicate tannins. The area excels with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot and in some cooler spots, Chardonnay.