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.

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.