Smells strong and concentrated with lots of oak and dark fruit nuances. Cool blue fruit with vanilla and tobacco, still needs time to harmonise and for the wood to integrate and as such isn't giving total balance and connectivity right now. The texture is sleek, and there is weight and acidity, but the flavours need to meld a little. Confident and structured, shows lots of promise.

Blackcurrant and vegetal notes with evident oak. Subtly enticing flavors of bruised plum and damson. The fresh palate is rich and exuberant, with lively fruit and a hint of salinity. Drink 2024-2036.

Red and black cherry on the nose, with a touch of earth. The palate is juicy, even really juicy with a hint of anise on the backend, but it works and this is tasty.

They take the top 20% of their site for this wine, about 15 blocks, with a fantastic melange of fruits, blue and red brambles, sweet cherries, hints of herbs, and mint. It's a nice balance of fruit and spice; the tension is lovely in the 21s, says winemaker Shane Moore. Released early with the lack of a 2020 vintage for the brand.

An unoaked chardonnay that's full-bodied but balanced and amazingly rich in ripe fruit. Flavors of lemons, green apples, pineapple. mangoes, minerals and chalk. Harvested late in the year, fermented in steel tanks, then bottled and sold early while it's fresh and racy in texture. Despite not aging in barrels, it offers good butter and spices considering how crisp and tangy it is. Drink now.

Achieves excellent balance between a tangy feel and generous flavors. Quite toasty, flinty and nervy in aromas before a ripe, buttery palate delivers good richness and length. Minerals and sea salt on the nose, then bright pineapple, baked apple, butter and lemon zest on the palate. Drink now or hold.

Impressive for its purity and fleshy black cherry flavors, with details of pomegranate, strawberry and fresh herb details of thyme, sage and rosemary on a crisp, juicy frame. Accents of cherry cola and red licorice, as well as polished tannins. leave a lasting impression on the finish. Drink now through 2035.

The Il Fauno Bordeaux blend is dark ruby red in color with aromas of cassis, plum and lavender.  A delicious, medium plus weight wine that offers refinement in the glass.  Excellent value. A blend of 35% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot matured up to 12 months in 50+% new French oak. pH 3.59, 15% alc. 

Dark and brooding but retains a sense of finesse, with blackberry and red currant flavors that take on mocha, dusty herbs and spices.

This deeply extracted and spice driven Merlot farmed at just under 3,000 feet of elevation displays aromas of dark-chocolate-covered cherry, cinnamon and pepper. The palate gives flavors of ripe black plum, tobacco and rich minerality in a powerful tannic framework. Although the wine needs time to evolve, it will be excellent with hearty meat courses in time.

Spirited and handsomely built, with expressive flavors of cherry and blueberry accented by anise and juniper berry as this builds tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. 639 cases made.

The nose of this Pinot gives punchy aromas of dusty cherry, spiced raspberry compote and sassafras. The silky palate brings rich dark-cherry fruit with a wide streak of raspberry lime acid and clove. Cinnamon lingers across the finish.

Lively aromas of fresh tangerine, pear and lime peel dominate the nose of this wine. The palate gives waves of fresh citrus, spice, honeysuckle and apple, with bright and focused acidity dancing along the palate. Best from 2027–2035.

Aromas of fresh apple, river rock, white flowers and lemon peel dance on the nose of this wine. The palate brings a lively pear-tangerine vibe with an electric finish, just zipping with acidity, salinity and minerality. Editors’ Choice.

Attractively dense aromas of baked strawberry and stewed cherry meet with nutmeg and star anise on the nose of this bottling from an iconic vineyard. The bold, very ripe palate pairs cherry-cola soda flavors with tons of powerful spices

This lively wine has aromas of strawberry coulis, black plum, dried oregano and vanilla cream on the nose. Flavors on the palate are cranberry-pomegranate compote, pink grapefruit peel and hibiscus tea, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Pair with grilled lamb lollipops.

From vines planted in 2017, the 2022 Chardonnay Perilune is the midpoint of rich creaminess and zesty focus in the BrewerClifton Chardonnay roster. While initially slightly reticent and less intense on the nose, it delivers lifted, floral, orchard fruit aromas in the glass with time. The palate is tensile and refreshing, leading to a finish that fills in this raciness with a subtle but pleasing creamy texture. An impressive showing from such young vines, this is a wine to follow for fans of BrewerClifton's more chiseled side.

Hailing from a 2010 planting of a Merry Edwards selection, the 2022 Pinot Noir Hapgood offers up pretty aromas of dried flowers, citrus peels, cinnamon and anise. The palate is voluminous yet silky and precise, leading to a clean, structured finish with delicious saline accents. I found this a highlight of the Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noirs for its balance between power, verve and grace.

The 2019 Merlot Jackson Park Vineyard was matured for 20 months in 40% new French oak. It has pure, layered aromas of Morello cherries, blueberries, lilac, mint chocolate, tobacco and graham cracker. The medium-bodied palate is more restrained at this stage with mineral-driven flavors. It has a supple texture, bright acidity and a long, latent finish. It deserves 3-5 years in the bottle to unwind. 208 cases were made.

The 2019 Armoniza is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec matured for 20 months in 55% new French oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of cassis, tobacco, aniseed, leather and chocolate. The full-bodied palate is plush and approachable with concentrated, perfumed fruit and a long, spicy finish. 280 cases produced

The 2019 Desvelado is a blend of 60% Malbec and 40% Merlot matured for 20 months in 20% new French oak. It has pure aromas of blueberry, milk chocolate, fresh mint, leather and truffle. The full-bodied palate offers Goldilocks ripeness. It’s structured by powdery tannins and mouthwatering acidity and has a long, elegant finish. 300 cases were made.

The 2019 Merlot Bennett Valley was matured for 20 months in 23% new French oak. It has pure, inviting scents of black plum, blueberry, aniseed, tobacco, chocolate, roses and mint chocolate. The full-bodied palate is powerfully styled with concentrated, mineral-driven flavors. It’s structured by grainy tannins and bright acidity and has an expressive, floral finish. 200 cases were made.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Afleet has a medium ruby color and lovely scents of spiced blackberries, loamy earth, black tea leaves and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate offers intense, spicy fruit, a finely grained tannic structure and a long finish with refreshing acidity. It was made with about 40% whole clusters and matured for 16 months in 20% new French oak.

The 2019 Chardonnay Skycrest Vineyard comes from vines planted at 1,500 to 2,000 feet in elevation above the town of Boonville in the Anderson Valley. It was mostly barrel fermented and matured for 16 months in 30% new French oak. It has elegant aromas of yellow apples, quince, beeswax, hay and salted almonds. The medium-bodied palate is silky and fresh with savory fruits and flinty streaks, finishing long and gently honeyed. 515 cases produced.

The 2019 Stature Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of fruit from Alexander Valley (68%) and Knights Valley (32%). One percent Cabernet Franc was blended in, and it matured for 24 months in 87% new French oak. It has pure aromas of cassis, blueberry, violet and mint chocolate. The full-bodied palate is grainy and refreshing with concentrated, floral flavors and a long, elegant finish. 193 cases were made.