Expert Reviews - Vintage 2022
The Wine Enthusiast by Tonya Pitts writes 91 Points | Lively aromas of baked candy apple, plum, raspberry and notes of allspice on the nose. Flavors of hibiscus flower, mandarin orange, black tea and supple, silky tannins encourage another sip to keep the party on the palate going. Pair with a cold smoked Hamachi collar and pickled mushrooms.
The Tasting Panel 91 Points This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% Tempranillo offers an unctuous mouthfeel, slick and tart with red cherries in aspic, cinnamon rose petals, and peony. Red berries converge in a summer fruit bowl, dotted with white pepper, and scented with jasmine.
Winemaker Description
Composition:
• 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 25% Pinot Noir
• 25% Tempranillo
• Small amounts of naturally occurring & added sulfites — nothing else.
Appellation: Lodi CA (Cosumnes River)
Alcohol by vol.: 13.2%
Production:
• Regeneratively farmed
• Certified sustainable per “Lodi Rules”
• Fermented in stainless steel lined with oak staves, 11 mos.
• Vegan-friendly
Eye: Brilliant translucent ruby through and through.
Nose: Hibiscus, tea rose, pomegranate & Marschino cherry with subtle cinnamon, clove, and English lavender.
Palate: Light body & crisp acidity meet lush fruit & spices. Intense flavors make for a sublime lingering finish.
Pairing inspirations: Avocado & beet salad; tomato tart; hoisin pork buns; trout & watercress fritters; chicken Caesar salad; French onion soup.
House of Brown is a second-generation wine label under the BROWN Napa Valley umbrella, which also includes Chaos Theory and is anchored by flagship Brown Estate.
The Brown family have been in Napa since 1980. Siblings Deneen, Coral, and David began making wine in 1996. Raised by two medical professionals in a “Blue-Zone” household in Southern California, they all pitched in at their parents’ medical clinic. There, they adopted what would become a guiding principle in their wine business: Do no harm.
The creation of House of Brown was inspired by an extraordinary community of wine consumers who for over two decades had been finding themselves at home with Brown Estate, and in 2017 began assembling at the family’s then newly opened Brown Downtown Napa tasting room. This period marked an evolution in wine consumer demographics, with the industry at large seeing an influx of young and culturally diverse enthusiasts coming to the fore — dynamics that have been manifest at Brown for decades.
House of Brown was established in 2018 to expand access to the Brown wine experience, then nearly 25 years strong. The label designs are an homage to the brand’s Feel Seen ethos, and to the sense of welcome and belonging that are hallmarks at Brown. Produced with the same commitment to purity and balance that is foundational to Brown Estate, House of Brown wines are regeneratively farmed, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly.
House of Brown is 100% family-owned + 100% Black-owned, and the brand is women-led.
Memo Summary Notes
The House of Brown Red Blend 2022 is the second label from Brown Estate—Napa Valley's first Black-owned estate winery. Known for its "fresh, juicy, and chillable" style, it is designed to be an accessible.
Its high acidity makes it extremely versatile. It pairs brilliantly with hoisin pork buns, tomato tarts, avocado & beet salad, or French onion soup. It's also an excellent "couch wine" to enjoy with a simple charcuterie board.
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