The blockbuster 2000 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is the best effort I have tasted from this well-known site in Santa Maria Valley. Reminiscent of a New World version of Ponsot's Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes, it boasts a dark plum color as well as a broodingly backward but promising nose of cloves, plums, black cherries, flowers, and minerals. It possesses profound concentration, surprisingly high but well-hidden alcohol (15.3%), and a multilayered, sumptuous finish that lasts for nearly 45 seconds. It is a tour de force in New World Pinot Noir. Drink it over the next 7-10 years. This is a wine of two up and coming California superstars. Don't miss it. The talented Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton have admirably exploited the extraordinary potential that exists in selected micro-climates in Santa Barbara county. In a few short years, this young, energetic twosome have astonished this critic with the breadth and complexity of their wines. Their 2000 Pinot Noirs are among the finest New World Pinots I have ever tasted. Sadly, the production is small, averaging 100-200 cases of each cuvee.Tel. (805) 452-5609

The 1997 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard (72 cases) exhibits an attractive, plump, earthy, smoky, Pommard-like nose with notes of apple skins and black cherries. This deep ruby/colored wine displays ripe fruit, medium body, and a friendly, open-knit texture.As is often the case, Brewer-Clifton's hand-crafted wines are only available in small quantities. Nevertheless, they are worth knowing about. Hopefully, Brewer-Clifton will begin to produce more wine, as it is all top-notch.Tel.(805) 963-2527 Fax: (805) 965 6736