BREWER CLIFTON CHARDONNAY
There is an alluring charm to the entire Central Coast wine producing region, but it was Sta. Rita Hills that called to Greg Brewer. For 30 years, winemaker Greg Brewer has been honing his skill of crafting impeccable wines from Santa Barbara County, with a specific focus on the Sta. Rita Hills sub-AVA. In fact, Greg Brewer helped to map and define the Sta. Rita Hills area in 1997, which helped its official approval in 2001. Greg has been named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
The geographic, geologic and climatic uniqueness of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation provides an ideal place to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes of intensity, complexity and specificity. Within this appellation, each vineyard carries its own imprint. The mission at Brewer-Clifton, and indeed their passion, is to present wines that convey the characteristics inherent to each of these sites, with uncompromising quality.
Brewer-Clifton is now using 100% Estate Grown grapes, and they do not purchase grapes from other growers/ This makes certain that every attention to detail can be ensured, and only the highest quality grapes enter through the winery doors, and they use sustainable and/or organic farming methods whenever possible.
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "Aged nine months in 100% neutral oak barrels, the 2023 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills offers crushed citrus, oyster shell, white flowers, and a kiss of salty minerality. It's medium-bodied, has remarkable purity, vibrant acidity, and a great finish. As I've written many times, this appellation release can stand toe to toe with any Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County. Drink 2025-2035."
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Shows harmony and intensity, with focused flavors of tangerine, Meyer lemon, lime and pomelo that are lovely at the core, plus aromatic notes of lemongrass, lemon thyme and oregano. A fresh thread of acidity and details of Himalayan sea salt gain momentum on the finish."
For 30 years, winemaker Greg Brewer has been honing his skill of crafting impeccable wines from Santa Barbara County, with a specific focus on the Sta. Rita Hills sub-AVA. In fact, Greg Brewer helped to map and define the Sta. Rita Hills area in 1997, which helped its official approval in 2001. In addition, Greg has been previously named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
Brewer-Clifton is now using 100% Estate Grown grapes, and they do not purchase grapes from other owners. This ensures that every attention to detail can be covered, and only the highest quality grapes enter through the winery doors, and they use sustainable and/or organic farming methods whenever possible.
Today's Pinot Noir offering is a blend of their 3D, Machado and Hapgood vineyards; 3 vineyards that helped to produce single-vineyard wine with scores as high as 99 points! The vineyards are planted on a mix of sand and clay. This may decrease vigor and yields, but it intensifies the aromatics and flavors; the vineyards have been planted to a mix of several different clones, which aids in complexity. The wine is aged in neutral oak barrels, so while you will get a hint of oak, the purity of the fruit is what shines.
BREWER CLIFTON PINOT NOIR
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "As with all the Pinot Noirs from this talented winemaker, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills was not destemmed and was aged all in 100% neutral oak barrels. Medium ruby-hued, darker berries and redcurrants intermixed with rose, damp forest floor, and subtle spicy, meaty nuances all emerge from the glass. It's remarkably pure and medium-bodied, with a pure, seamless, layered mouthfeel and ultra-fine tannins. This is classic Greg Brewer brilliance with Pinot Noir. Drink bottles any time over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035."
WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "A savory-edged version, with bitter cherry and raspberry coulis notes at the core and a flash of bracing oyster shell minerality through the finish. Drink now through 2028. 8,475 cases made."
There is an alluring charm to the entire Central Coast wine producing region, but it was Sta. Rita Hills that called to Greg Brewer. For 30 years, winemaker Greg Brewer has been honing his skill of crafting impeccable wines from Santa Barbara County, with a specific focus on the Sta. Rita Hills sub-AVA. In fact, Greg Brewer helped to map and define the Sta. Rita Hills area in 1997, which helped its official approval in 2001. Greg has been named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
The geographic, geologic and climatic uniqueness of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation provides an ideal place to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes of intensity, complexity and specificity. Within this appellation, each vineyard carries its own imprint. The mission at Brewer-Clifton, and indeed their passion, is to present wines that convey the characteristics inherent to each of these sites, with uncompromising quality.
Brewer-Clifton is now using 100% Estate Grown grapes, and they do not purchase grapes from other growers/ This makes certain that every attention to detail can be ensured, and only the highest quality grapes enter through the winery doors, and they use sustainable and/or organic farming methods whenever possible.
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "Aged nine months in 100% neutral oak barrels, the 2023 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills offers crushed citrus, oyster shell, white flowers, and a kiss of salty minerality. It's medium-bodied, has remarkable purity, vibrant acidity, and a great finish. As I've written many times, this appellation release can stand toe to toe with any Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County. Drink 2025-2035."
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Shows harmony and intensity, with focused flavors of tangerine, Meyer lemon, lime and pomelo that are lovely at the core, plus aromatic notes of lemongrass, lemon thyme and oregano. A fresh thread of acidity and details of Himalayan sea salt gain momentum on the finish."
For 30 years, winemaker Greg Brewer has been honing his skill of crafting impeccable wines from Santa Barbara County, with a specific focus on the Sta. Rita Hills sub-AVA. In fact, Greg Brewer helped to map and define the Sta. Rita Hills area in 1997, which helped its official approval in 2001. In addition, Greg has been previously named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
Brewer-Clifton is now using 100% Estate Grown grapes, and they do not purchase grapes from other owners. This ensures that every attention to detail can be covered, and only the highest quality grapes enter through the winery doors, and they use sustainable and/or organic farming methods whenever possible.
Today's Pinot Noir offering is a blend of their 3D, Machado and Hapgood vineyards; 3 vineyards that helped to produce single-vineyard wine with scores as high as 99 points! The vineyards are planted on a mix of sand and clay. This may decrease vigor and yields, but it intensifies the aromatics and flavors; the vineyards have been planted to a mix of several different clones, which aids in complexity. The wine is aged in neutral oak barrels, so while you will get a hint of oak, the purity of the fruit is what shines.
BREWER CLIFTON PINOT NOIR
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "As with all the Pinot Noirs from this talented winemaker, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills was not destemmed and was aged all in 100% neutral oak barrels. Medium ruby-hued, darker berries and redcurrants intermixed with rose, damp forest floor, and subtle spicy, meaty nuances all emerge from the glass. It's remarkably pure and medium-bodied, with a pure, seamless, layered mouthfeel and ultra-fine tannins. This is classic Greg Brewer brilliance with Pinot Noir. Drink bottles any time over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035."
WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "A savory-edged version, with bitter cherry and raspberry coulis notes at the core and a flash of bracing oyster shell minerality through the finish. Drink now through 2028. 8,475 cases made."
