Sweet red currants, cinnamon sticks, plum, Christmas cake, and allspice jump from the medium ruby/garnet colored 2006 Pinot Noir Rio Vista. This wine has tart acidity, plenty of body, and again, seems to offer intriguing spice box aromatics and medium to full-bodied flavors. Drink it over the next 5-7 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

The sexy, medium ruby-colored 2005 Pinot Noir Rio Vista reveals earthy, Allspice, raspberry, and black cherry notes, a broad, textural mouthfeel, full body, and a 7-10 year window of drinkability. Tel. (805) 735-9184; Fax (805) 735-9185