2009 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)

The long, cool growing season of 2010 allowed Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton to make chardonnays that "are plenty ripe, thanks to some late season heat, but with real energy," according to Brewer. As usual, these wines were raised in neutral wood, in accordance with the winery's philosophy that barrels are a vessel, not a flavoring medium. While both Brewer and Clifton are ardent fans of white Burgundy, especially Chablis, they make no claims that their wines are "Burgundian." "Burgundy is an inspiration but you can't copy it, not here, anyway." Clifton said. As for the 2009 pinots, they were fermented with 100% whole clusters; saw long, drawn-out fermentations; and aged in little or no new oak, as usual. Production was off thanks to spring frosts and the lower yields show in the power and depth of these wines That said, the fruit intensity of the '09 Brewer-Clifton pinots makes most of them very seductive right now.

No one has done more to carry the banner for the Santa Rita Hills than Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton. Both together at Brewer-Clifton and separately in their other projects, Brewer and Clifton consistently deliver delicious wines that are also deeply thought provoking with regards to the potential these vineyard sites hold. The Pinots in particular are compelling. The 2009 Pinots saw a seven day cold soak and fermentations that lasted a total of 35$40.00 days, with 100% stems.