Brooks Wine 'Amycas' White Wine, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2023

• Winemaker: Chris Williams
  
• Farming: Biodynamic (certified)
  
• Variety: 27% Pinot Blanc, 25% Muscat, 21% Riesling, 17% Gewurztraminer, 10% Pinot Gris 
• Terroir: Blend of clays and silts
  
• Vinification: Stainless steel
  
• Tasting Note: This dry Alsatian Blend is brilliant with tropical, citrus, stone fruit, and spice aromas with a long, aromatic finish.
  

From our November 2024 Bottle Club Notes:

Brooks is one of the most underrated wineries in the Willamette Valley, carrying forward the living legacy of Jimi Brooks, a visionary Portland native whose love of history and philosophy led him to wine. Brooks seeks natural balance in both vineyard and cellar, highlighting the true expression of terroir in each bottle. Committed to organic and biodynamic farming, Brooks is a Demeter Certified Biodynamic® vineyard and winery. They believe these practices not only elevate the quality of the wines but also help sustain the earth and its ecosystems.

The 2023 Amycas is an intriguing blend of Alsatian varieties, anchored by Pinot Blanc and crafted from 27% Pinot Blanc, 25% Muscat, 21% Riesling, 17% Gewurztraminer, and 10% Pinot Gris. Alsatian wines often showcase these four noble grapes: Riesling, a grape celebrated in German vineyards, reigns as king in Alsace, while Gewurztraminer—floral and sometimes unexpectedly austere—stands as its queen. Full-bodied Pinot Gris, with its slight refreshing bitterness, and the aromatic Muscat complete this elegant quartet.

The 2023 growing season began with a late bud break reminiscent of 2011, but soon shifted to warm, dry conditions, interrupted by only one rain event in June. An ideal summer was briefly punctuated by a hot spell in August. Harvest began in late August and continued smoothly until September rains temporarily delayed picking, relieving drought stress but extending harvest timing. Despite the rain’s impact, some grapes met the 100-day bloom-to-harvest rule, and overall fruit quality remained excellent, with balanced acidity and moderate sugar levels. The 2023 vintage promises wines of vibrant concentration, freshness, and rich flavor.

The Amycas is a light and lively Alsatian field blend, with enticing notes of peach, lychee, pear, and lemon, rounded out by a playful peach candy finish. I’ll be enjoying this wine with lemony steamed cod and a side of celery salad. —Karen Smith