Opens with a supple texture and slowly builds tension at the core, with detailed flavors of raspberry and blueberry highlighted by dusky spice and crushed stone notes as this finishes with refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.

On the nose, the 2022 Chardonnay Machado is a lovely, balanced combination of herbal, floral and saline. It straddles taut focus and textural breadth with admirable precision on the palate, framed by intense salinity that propels through its delicious, multilayered finish. Within a diverse array of singlevineyard Chardonnays, I found this to be the most complete and age-worthy expression.

The 2019 Merlot Keyes Vineyard, matured for 20 months in 30% new French oak, has expressive scents of red and black currants, juniper, tobacco leaves, truffle and pencil shavings. The full-bodied palate features layer after layer of mineral-laced fruit. It’s structured by supple tannins and bright acidity and has a long, nuanced finish. 400 cases produced.

The 2019 Encantadora is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc matured for 20 months in 30% new French oak. It has intense aromas of red and black cherries, tobacco, charcuterie, dark chocolate and juniper. The full-bodied palate is packed with juicy fruit. It’s structured by powdery tannins and has a long, elegant finish. 310 cases were made.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Stormin' was matured for 16 months in 48% new French oak. It has a medium ruby color and lush scents of black cherries, blueberries, bergamot and turned earth. The palate is silky and fresh with youthfully coiled fruits and a long, spicy finish. It could use another 2-3 years in bottle to unwind. 305 cases were made.

The 2021 Zinfandel Dina's Vineyard comes from vines planted over 100 years ago, and the wine was matured for nine months in 44% new French oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of apricot and wild berry jam with accents of aniseed, sage and iron. The medium-bodied palate features powerful, expressive flavors structured by grainy tannins and vivacious acidity, and it has a long, perfumed finish. 225 cases were made.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard was matured for 16 months in 28% new French oak. It has inviting scents of cranberry, rhubarb, bergamot, tobacco and nutmeg. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, nuanced flavors framed by chalky tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, spicy finish. 341 cases produced.

The 2021 Chardonnay Warrior Princess comes from a block within the Zena Crown Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills. Barrel fermented and matured in used French oak for 14 months, it has bright aromas of white peach, lime peel, spring honey, hazelnut and gravel dust. The light-bodied palate is pure and electric, though its concentrated flavors are still youthfully coiled, and it will benefit from 2-3+ years in bottle. 102 cases were made.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Marin County was matured in 33% new French oak for 15 months. It has inviting aromas of cranberry, red cherry and blood orange laced with foresty, botanical undertones. The medium-bodied palate is silky and bright with concentrated, floral fruit and a long, detailed finish. Only 73 cases were made.

Matured in 28% new French oak for 15 months, the 2021 Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard takes some time to reveal aromas of raspberry, grapefruit, cola and forest floor. Medium-bodied, silky and refreshing, it’s bursting with concentrated, floral fruit and has a long, nuanced finish. 350 cases produced.

The 2021 Chardonnay Radian Vineyard was barrel fermented and matured for 13 months in 31% new French oak. It opens with savory flint, honey and mushroom aromas and becomes more expressive with ample time in the glass. The light-bodied palate is luxuriously silky, its floral flavors enlivened by energetic acidity, and it has a long, flinty finish. Give it 2-3+ years in bottle. Just 77 cases were made.

Matured for 15 months in 29% new French oak, the 2021 Pinot Noir Docker Hill is pure and perfumed: raspberry and pomegranate are accented by wafts of rose petal, rooibos tea, dried herbs and cardamom. The light-bodied palate is elegant and juicy with concentrated, open-knit flavors supported by chalky tannins and a long, perfumed finish. 179 cases produced.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard, from vines planted in 1975, was matured in 33% new French oak for 15 months. It has complex, spicy aromas of red cherries and berries, cinnamon, graphite, tobacco and tea leaves. The medium-bodied palate is energetic and spicy with concentrated flavors and a long, ultraperfumed finish. Only 73 cases were made.

Barrel fermented and matured for 14 months in 25% new French oak, the 2021 Chardonnay Far Coast Vineyard has dynamic scents of apricot, preserved lemon and ginger, plus undertones of almonds and honey. The light-bodied palate features generous layers of ripe citrus fruit enlivened by shimmery acidity. A touch of phenolic grip balances its tangy freshness and lengthens its finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle. 270 cases were made.

The 2021 Chardonnay Sevens Bench Vineyard was barrel fermented and matured for 14 months in 14% new French oak. It has open, inviting aromas of yellow peach, panna cotta, honey, pie crust and chamomile. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and layered, its generosity balanced by tangy acidity and flinty tones, and it has a long, textural finish. It deserves 2-3+ years in bottle. 316 cases produced.

Matured for 16 months in used French oak, the 2021 Pinot Noir MacLean's Block is scented of red cherries, rhubarb, bergamot and mint with youthful touches of cedar and nutmeg. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and spicy with nuanced, pleasantly botanical flavors. It has a silky frame, seamless freshness and a long, flavorful finish. 170 cases produced.

Matured for 20 months in French oak, the 2019 Pinot Noir Sea Lift slowly unfurls scents of red cherry and raspberry jam, mushrooms, iodine and floral perfume, then becomes more expressive as it opens in the glass. It floods the mouth with layer after layer of perfumed fruit. It has a finely chalky texture, mouthwatering freshness and a long, fragrant finish. 325 cases were made.

The Riserva is a big step up from the annata. More savory than fruity on the nose with earthy, tobacco scents. Mouthfiling on the palate with dark plum, cherries, tea and herbal notes. Long and impressively rich finish. A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from warmer, south-facing blocks; aged 10 months in used French oak barriques. pH 3.37, 14.1% alc

From a site planted in 2009 to Hyde selections, the 2022 Chardonnay Hapgood is zesty and focused on the nose, combing citrus and orchard fruits with accents of sea spray. Silky and saline on the palate, it finishes with a tremendously chiseled energy that recalls the linearity and precision of the nose. A highlight of the Brewer-Clifton lineup, this has room to unwind and still be a livewire.

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. 

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.