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1996 Brewer-Clifton
Sweeney Canyon chardonnay Santa Ynez Valley
Intense, sharply focused and very complex nose of melon,
golden fig, spiced apple, honeysuckle, vanilla custard
and Meyer lemon. Lean in structure but creamy on the palate,
it finished with a lingering finish of lemon, apple, flint
and fig that coats the mouth. Full of “Chablis-like”
mineral tones and a “Corton-Charlemagne” –
like structures, dressed up nicely with green apple and
lemon drop fruit notes and vanilla. Truly outstanding.
Unfiltered. Debut Release. 120 cases produced. |
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Don Gillette,
Napa Valley Winery Exchange |
1996 Brewer-Clifton
Marcella’s chardonnay Santa Maria Valley
From a block of the erstwhile Sierra Madre Vineyard now
owned by Fess Parker. Extravagant nose of honey and sweet
butter cream, with hints of lime and ginger. Though richer
and denser, it displays equally impressive drive on the
attack, as well as an explosive burst of baked apple and
toffee on the finish. 50 cases produced |
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David Russell, Wine Cask |
1996
Brewer-Clifton Gold Coast pinot noir, Santa Maria Valley
For this and the wine below, the Brewers, the Cliftons,
along with sundry unindicted co-conspirators gathered
‘round the old table de tri to destem clusters
by hand while sorting out those that would make the
cut. This “Gold Coast” was 21 days on the
skins, and was punched down five to six times a day,
at least initially. When tasted, it was still on its
heavy lees, and had never been S02’d. Smoky (only
one barrel, a new Sirugue), dark red fruits, and rose
petal on the nose. On the palate there’s good
grip, with both tannins and acid in equilibrium; flavors
leaning to hard spice, such as nutmeg and clove.
24 cases produced |
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David Russell, Wine Cask |
1996
Brewer-Clifton Santa Maria Hills pinot noir, Santa Maria
Valley
This was on the skins a few days longer, and
it shows visually: i.e., slightly deeper color than the
above. Black cherry, wild raspberry, and clove on the
nose; oak very well absorbed (of the two barrels, one
was new). Terrific inner-mouth feel, really “envelops”
the palate and gives a somewhat “plusher”
impression than the above. One of the most impressive
young pinots I’ve had from this vineyard, and I’ve
had a few.
50 cases produced |
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David Russell, Wine Cask |
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