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2023 Brewer-Clifton Machado Pinot Noir

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased upon release

12 available
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Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

97James Suckling

Full of brambleberries, bruised cherries and rose hips with rich aromas and flavors of scorched earth, black licorice and allspice. Substantial yet lively, especially through the finish.

96Wine Spectator

This brims with succulent blackberry, boysenberry and mulberry fruit flavors that are coiled with energy, while singed mesquite, blood orange zest, black tea and dried anise accents add fuel on the lengthy finish.

95The Wine Advocate

...effortlessness on display from front to back, combining floral, earthy, saline and fennel notes with a darker-fruited backdrop and less overt whole-cluster influence. Echoing the Machado Chardonnay, the palate fuses a broad, supple textural power with a palpably tense and vertical rudder that runs through the graceful, high-toned and chalky finish.

95+ Vinous / IWC

...has a beautifully expressive nose but is undeniably coiled up on the palate, a trait that likely bodes very well for the future...well of complexity and structure resides beneath the top layers of clear, bright red berry fruit and savory herbs.

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, Central 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.

VINTAGE

2023 Brewer-Clifton Machado Pinot Noir