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.
The 2020 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands from Santa Barbara County was barrel fermented and matured in 43% new French oak for eight months. It has intense aromas of apples and peach laced with nuances of matchstick, freshly baked bread and beeswax. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with ripe, concentrated flavors. It’s balanced by bright acidity and has a long, flavorful finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. 1,674 cases produced.
From vines more than 100 years old, the 2021 Zinfandel Jolene's Vineyard was matured in 64% new French oak for nine months. It’s scented of wild berry jam, grapefruit, lavender and youthful touches of cedar. The light-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with generous, floral fruit and a long, flavorful finish. 225 cases produced.
From vines planted over 100 years ago, the 2021 Zinfandel Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard was matured in 58% new French oak for nine months. It has broody scents of blackberry and blueberry jam, aniseed, iron and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with concentrated, perfumed fruit and a long, latent finish. It deserves 3-5+ years in the cellar. 250 cases produced.
The 2018 Syrah Outer Limits comes from vines planted in Goldridge soils at 680 feet of elevation. Matured for 20 months in 38% new French oak, it demands time to reveal layered scents of blackcurrant, mint chocolate, game meat, tobacco and iron. The full-bodied palate is silky and seamless with concentrated, mineral-driven fruit and a latent finish. It will benefit from several more years in the cellar. 170 cases were made.
Matured in 27% new French oak for 15 months, the 2021 Pinot Noir Velvet Sisters is bursting with raspberry, pomegranate and rhubarb aromas, plus nuances of bergamot and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and generous. It has a silky texture, energetic acidity and a long, flavorful finish. 296 cases produced.
The 2021 Chardonnay Jennifer’s Vineyard comes from vines planted in 2005 on a steep, windy slope in the Sebastopol Hills neighborhood of the Russian River Valley. Barrel fermented and matured for 13 months in 27% new French oak, it’s scented of white pepper, lime peel, peach, panna cotta and chalk. The lightbodied palate is textural and refreshing with generous salinity and spice, though it’s still youthfully coiled. Give it 2-3 years in bottle to unwind. 300 cases were made.
The 2021 Pinot Noir Seascape Vineyard was matured for 14 months in 25% new French oak. The nose is bursting with cranberry, pomegranate and orange peel, plus nuances of rose petals and tea leaves. The light-bodied palate is silky and fresh with detailed, crunchy fruit and a long, spicy finish. 325 cases produced.
The 2020 Chardonnay DuPratt, matured for 10 months in French oak, is scented of peach, crème brûlée, honey and struck flint. The medium-bodied palate pairs expansive, nuanced fruit with a silky texture and vibrant acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. 200 cases were made.
Matured for 10 months in French oak, the 2019 Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir opens dramatically as it spends time in the glass, segueing from wild berries to accents of orange peel, tobacco, forest floor and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and energetic with generously layered flavors and a long, juicy finish. 340 cases produced.
This rich version offers a velvety mix of dark chocolate–covered dried blueberry, huckleberry and wild blackberry flavors at the core, with a dense accent of bittersweet chocolate, while touches of green olive and dried sage add a savory element. The tannins bring an appealing dusty quality that complements the loamy earth and cocoa powder grace notes. Drink now through 2037.
Tangy red currant, plum and cherry juice aromas take charge, flanked by savory herbs and earthy spice and padded by chocolaty oak. It's a full-figured wine with powerful, dusty tannins, but enough supple fruit to make it feel balanced and food-friendly. Drink now (with protein and a decant) until 2036.
The nicely balanced Gran Moraine makes its introduction with floral aromas of lilac powder, freesia and ripe red raspberries. Then crisp acidity and silky tannins frame flavors of bright red cherries, blueberry compote and orange zest. Quite a lively sipper.