2009 Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills
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Tasting notes
Similar to the 2008 with its racy, lively style, the 2009 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills is more reserved aromatically, with notes of orchard fruits, lemon peel and spice, and lots of minerality coming through with air. Medium-bodied, fresh and lively, with a balanced, clean style. it is drinking beautifully today but should keep nicely going forward. This was a fabulous tasting with winemaker Greg Brewer, and both his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay showed brilliantly. While it’s easy to always focus on the single vineyard releases from a producer, this tasting shows that the appellation blends can be every bit as good. Greg’s Chardonnays are always barrel fermented and aged all in neutral oak, and his Pinot Noir see the same hands-off approach, being fermented with no destemming and aged all in neutral barrels.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Chardonnay is an absolutely gorgeous wine. Understated and classy from start to finish, it shows off layers of ripe fruit, subtle oak and spices. There is plenty of acidity to balance an expression of fruit that is generous, but just short of hitting tropical notes.
The 2009 Chardonnay is an absolutely gorgeous wine. Understated and classy from start to finish, it shows off layers of ripe fruit, subtle oak and spices. There is plenty of acidity to balance an expression of fruit that is generous, but just short of hitting tropical notes. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018. 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 days, with 100% stems. Tel. (805) 735-9184; Fax (805) 735-9185; www.brewerclifton.com
Bright gold. Bright aromas of peach, lemon and chalky minerals. Concentrated, tactile and dense, with a sappy, mineral quality to its pit fruit, citrus and spice flavors. The minerality gains power with air and carries through a bright, precise and very long finish.