This is a stunning Chardonnay, one with all the dials were turned up, and in a good way!  It’s a full-bodied, richly textured and layered Chardonnay that has explosive aromas of honeysuckle, jasmine, lime, struck match and yeastiness.  The palate lives up to the nose and offers vivid tension with a core of pineapple leading to complex tones of exotic fruits, apple tart, brioche and toasted nuts.   The finish is long and textured with mouthwatering acidity that bounds well for a few more years of ageing.

At Brewer Clifton they strive to remove the winemaker’s signature, allowing the voice of the vineyard to be the overriding expression.  Only neutral barrels are employed and they strive for whole cluster fermentation, interestingly the fruit from each vineyard is handled identically from harvest to bottling, allowing the true essence of each site to be expressed.

They also farm with a focus of ripening the stems of the bunch alongside the fruit, allowing the cluster to be in harmony. Working with the stems allows for wines that are structured, earthy and balanced with the exceptional Santa Rita Hills fruit. The analogy they use is roasting fish or meat on the bone, the bone offers complex flavours very different than taking it off of the bone to cook it.