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2016 Brewer-Clifton 459 Pinot Noir

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

June 12, 2022 - $56

Estimate

RATINGS

96Jeb Dunnuck

...notes of ripe strawberries, rose petals, sandy earth, and spicy characteristics all flow to a full-bodied, incredibly seamless Pinot Noir that has nicely integrated acidity, fine, polished tannins, impeccable balance, and a great finish.

92+ The Wine Advocate

...richest, most powerful wine in the range...ripe bouquet of sweet strawberry preserve, herbs, currant leaf and aromatic bark. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, layered and textural, with impressive mid-palate amplitude and a fine-grained but firm chassis of structuring tannins that asserts itself on the chewy finish.

90Wine Spectator

A chiseled red, with notes of underbrush to the dried raspberry and red currant flavors that feature accents of persimmon and pomegranate. Cardamom details show on the finish.

90Vinous / IWC

Pretty and aromatic, with mid-weight structure...hovers on the palate effortlessly... Sweet red fruit, mint, pine, sage, tobacco and anise shape this attractive Pinot nicely.

PRODUCER

Brewer-Clifton

Brewer-Clifton is owned and operated by Steve Clifton, a musician, and Greg Brewer, a former professor of French. The pair started Brewer-Clifton in 1995 and they source grapes from the Santa Rita Hills appellation. Brewer-Clifton makes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. The wines earn ratings in the 90s from reviewers, and Wine Advocate has noted that “Brewer and Clifton consistently deliver delicious wines that are also deeply thought provoking with regards to the potential these vineyard sites hold.”

REGION

United States, California, South Coast, Santa Barbara County, Santa Rita Hills

Santa Rita Hills AVA in northern Santa Barbara County was granted appellation status in 2001. Located between the towns of Lompoc and Buellton, it has a total area of 30,720 acres with 2,700 vineyard acres. The area is considered a cool climate for vineyards, so vineyards are most often planted with the cool-weather grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The hills in the western part of this appellation are directly exposed to the Pacific Ocean, meaning that maritime winds and fog make the western edge of the Santa Rita Hills AVA particularly cool. The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard planted in 1971 was the first vineyard in the district and is still considered one of the best.

TYPE

Red Wine, Pinot Noir

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.