This medium ruby-hued, juicy, full-bodied, mature 2006 Pinot Noir displays lots of clove, charcuterie, raspberry, underbrush and a hint of Asian soy. Soft, round and medium-bodied with 15% alcohol, it is a pretty, delicate, elegant style of Pinot Noir to enjoy over the next 5-6 years.

The dark ruby-colored 2006 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard displays notes of beef blood, underbrush, Asian spices, and plenty of sweet raspberry and cherry notes. It is broad, very flavorful, but again, the tannins are somewhat elevated and the wine firmly structured and in need of some bottle age. This, too, would benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and should be counted on for relatively long-term aging for domestic Pinot Noir – 10-15 years. All of the 2006 Pinots from Brewer-Clifton tend to emphasize the more spicy clove, allspice, underbrush, and root vegetable characteristics of Pinot Noir more than pure raspberry, black cherry, or black currant fruit. Not that they don’t have fruit, but it seems this vintage has been given a very overt spiciness, so readers who don’t like that might want to steer clear of the following Pinots. Some of the longest-lived Chardonnays being made in California these days come from the dynamic duo of Steve Clifton and Greg Brewer. The wines only see about 20-25% new oak and are bottled without fining or filtration. While their alcohols are relatively high, the acid levels are as well, and I have never had a Chardonnay from them that hasn’t been still very vibrant at 6-7 years of age, and they never taste hot.Tel. (805) 735-9184