See below for Brewer Clifton wines.
We are delighted to continue working with Brewer Clifton the highly regarded producer from Santa Barbara. The area came to prominence in the early 1990s and is particularly known for being the location of some of the most pro-active and innovative producers anywhere in the US. Brewer-Clifton was formed in the early 1990s by Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton. As the former notes; “It is our primary goal and priority to deliver the essence of the vineyard as clearly and honestly as possible.” They do this by sourcing parcels, which they vinify and bottle separately, from growers in all four corners of the county. Greg and Steve inform us that 2008 was a year that allowed for incredible elegance while creating wines of extreme complexity. Although the growing season was challenging for some low lying sites due to unusual frost patterns, all of the locations thankfully came out virtually unscathed.
We are huge fans of these wines, they really prove that whereas Pinot Noir struggles in the Sonoma and Napa valleys, ironically further south in Santa Barbara area, and specifically in the Santa Rita hills appellation, where the cooling Pacific breeze benefits the vines so much that great Pinot is more than possible in California. We rate the wines here along side some of the best names in Burgundy. As so often is the case in the New World, think more Cotes de Beaune than Cotes de Nuits, more Volnay than Nuits St Georges and with buckets of charm and freshness to go with the expressive fruit. The Chardonnays have real focus and lift to them and are unforced. Again firmly Burgundian in style without any of the excesses that many Californian Chardonnays often have.
As ever quantities of the wines are very limited and are likely to be in strong demand. Contact us to secure your allocation. Wines are priced in bond and will be shipped in October 2010
Vineyard notes from Brewer Clifton. Tastings notes & scores from Robert Parker & Stephen Tanzer
Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2008 (12x75) @ £235.00 per case in bond Buy Now
This chardonnay is from seven extremely diverse vineyard sites representing the large and disparate aspects of this appellation. From a collection of older vineyards ranging in age from 10 to 27 year old vines with multiple soils, aspects, rootstocks and clones; primarily sandy and marine based soils; nutrient deficient and very porous; some clay.
“Aromas of lemon peel, white sage and beeswax followed by flavors of kamfir leaf, sudachi and brine. Broad on the palate while maintaining tremendous focus.” Brewer Clifton
"The 2008 Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills has loads of lemon, honeysuckle, and citrus blossoms, yet for such a full-flavored Chardonnay, it is stunningly elegant, fresh, and crystalline. A light straw-colored, powerful wine (14.6% alcohol), it should be drunk over the next 3-5 years." Score: 91 Robert Parker
“Vivid yellow-gold. Pungent aromas of orange, marzipan and sweet butter. Musky, gently sweet and fresh in the mouth, with citrus and orchard fruit and crushed stone flavors joined by a suggestion of toasted nuts. There's a suave buttery character to this deep, open-knit wine, but tangy minerality on the finish gives it energy and lift. Seems more powerful and more approachable than the nervier 2007 version.” 90/100 Stephen Tanzer
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Gnesa Chardonnay 2008 (12x75) @ £330.00 per case in bond Buy Now
On the Highway 246 corridor across the street from Rancho Santa Rosa and on a bluff looking down on that vineyard Bought by the Gnesa family in 1916 and planted in 1996 to only four acres of Clone 4 chardonnay on very sandy, well-drained soils; gentle north facing aspect. “Ripe white peach, flint and citrus flower followed by flavors of blood orange, nectarine and guava. Tremendous drying salinity in the mouth despite significant weight.” Brewer Clifton
"A new offering from a four-acre site is the 2008 Chardonnay Gnesa (14.2% alcohol). Light medium gold with notes of citrus, honey, white flowers, brioche, and tropical fruit blossoms, the wine has zesty acidity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and lots of fresh lime blossom and lemon custard notes. Drink it over the next 7-8 years." Score: 92 Robert Parker
“Deep gold. Powerful, musky aromas of poached pear, orange, truffle and smoky lees, with a strong note of iodine gaining with air. Rich but lively, offering succulent orchard fruit flavors and a bracing note of citrus zest. Picks up a floral quality that carries through a long, sappy and very persistent finish.” 92/100 Stephen Tanzer
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Mount Carmel Chardonnay 2008 (12x75) £330.00 per case in bond Buy Now
One of the highest elevation sites in the appellation; Mount Carmel looks down on Sweeney Canyon it is exposed to south/south-west winds. The site is 20 acres and was planted in early 1990's with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on botella clay, the chardonnay is of Wente origin.“Aromas of pineapple, green papaya and flint followed by flavors of lime, orange blossom and brine. Elegant and dense without being weighty with tremendous salinity on the mouth.” Brewer Clifton
"The power and honeyed notes of the 2008 Chardonnay Mount Carmel are dramatic. This plush, up-front style of Chardonnay from Brewer and Clifton often reminds me of a California version of a Batard-Montrachet. The wine is light gold in color, with notes of honeyed nuts intermixed with crushed rock, lemon butter, orange rind, and pear. Broad, savory, rich, and showy, this wine tips the scales at 14% natural alcohol." Score: 94 Robert Parker
“Bright yellow. A complex, expressive bouquet evokes fresh pear, white peach, smoky minerals and iodine. Pliant pit fruit and zesty citrus flavors are complicated by notes of minerals and honeysuckle. The finish features strong mineral and bitter citrus pith qualities and hangs on with impressive tenacity.” 92/100 Stephen Tanzer
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Sweeney Canyon Chardonnay 2008 (12x75) @ £350.00 per case in bond Buy Now
Immediately east of Cargasacchi right above the Santa Ynez River is one of Santa Barbra’s oldest vineyards since planted in the early1980's. Since 1996 Brewer Clifton have been working with this site. It is a 4 acre section growing Chardonnay of the Wente origin. The soil is composed of silty river deposits and diatomaceous earth. 2,592 bottles produced. “Aromas of lychee, mangosteen and flint are followed by flavors of green pear, lime and minerals. Rich and focused demonstrating tremendous viscosity and breadth.” Brewer Clifton
"The 2008 Chardonnay Sweeney Canyon is medium golden in color, more evolved than the other Chardonnays, and also slightly more ostentatious and tropical. While plenty of acidity is present to buttress the wine’s intensity and richness, it is something of a paradox to review, since the aromatics suggest a more evolved style. It seems powerful and rich while holding plenty of personality in reserve. This wine will benefit from another 1-2 years of cellaring and last at least a decade or more." Score: 92+ Robert Parker
“Yellow-gold. Exotically perfumed bouquet displays scents of sweet butter, melon, smoky lees and iodine. Open-knit melon and pit fruit flavors are given spine by gentle acidity and complemented by notes of buttered toast and minerals. This plump, weighty and powerful wine is ready to drink.” 91/100 Stephen Tanzer
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Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2008 (12x75) @ £235.00 per case in bond Buy Now
As previously mentioned the Sta. Rita Hills wines are from seven extremely diverse vineyard sites representing the large and disparate aspects of this appellation. “Dark plum aromas are followed by cranberry and orange peel. Flavors of wild strawberry and fig are complemented by a finish of black walnut like tannin.” Brewer Clifton
"A great introduction to their style is their largest production Pinot, the 2008 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills. Beautiful floral, raspberry, and blueberry notes with hints of spice box and underbrush are present in this full-bodied, supple-textured, perfumed wine, which also possesses terrific purity and depth. I even liked it as much or better than some of the single vineyard wines. It can be drunk now (which is an anomaly for many of the Brewer-Clifton Pinots) but should evolve for 8-10 years. It is a stunning blend from many different vineyards in their portfolio." Score: 93 Robert Parker
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Mount Carmel Pinot Noir 2008 (12x75) @ £350.00 per case in bond Buy Now
This spectacular and challenging site consistently delivers fruit that we find particularly compelling and difficult to describe. Very steep slopes of botella clay, diatomite and limestone planted to a quintet of pinot noir clones with diverse spacing. “Black mission fig, dried strawberry and graphite aromas followed by flavors of black tea, black cherry and carbon. Maintains an incredible synergy of tender assertiveness in the mouth.” Brewer Clifton
"The 2008 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel (14.8%) exhibits plenty of black cherry and strawberry notes with hints of lead pencil shavings, Chinese black tea, and earth. Dark ruby, medium to full-bodied, with a striking minerality, this is among the tightest knit and most structured and backward of the 2008 Pinots. One senses that everything is trying to burst the seams beneath its structured veneer. Give it 1-2 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 10-15." Score: 92+ Robert Parker
If you would like a case or two please contact us directly. These wines will be shipped in October 2010.
