Coming in at 14% alcohol, the 2009 Mt. Carmel Chardonnay exhibits excellent tropical fruit notes intermixed with notions of lemon oil and beeswax. Good minerality is obvious in this lower alcohol wine along with plenty of citrus, white peach and white currant fruit, and a hint of quince. This medium-bodied Chardonnay should drink well for another decade.

The 2009 Chardonnay Mount Carmel comes across as quite intense and deep. Layers of expressive tropical fruit fill out the wine’s broad shouldered frame nicely. Here, too, I miss some of the refinement of the best Brewer-Clifton Chardonnays. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015. 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