The appellation bottling: Pinot Noir from four vineyards within the Sta. Rita Hills AVA — 3D, Machado, Hapgood and Perilune — showing drive and richness with the purity of fruit and firm structure that are the Brewer-Clifton trademark.

Winemaking: Only neutral barrels are employed, with whole-cluster fermentation the goal, farming to ripen the stems alongside the fruit so the cluster is in harmony. Pinot Noir is fermented 100% whole-cluster with native yeast. Neutral Sirugue barrels only, 12–18 months. Each lot is handled separately and in a uniform fashion, then harmonized in the finished wine.

Tasting: Medium ruby; darker berries and redcurrant with rose, damp forest floor and subtle spicy, meaty nuance — remarkably pure and medium-bodied with a seamless, layered mouthfeel and ultra-fine tannins. The house descriptors are pomegranate, white tea and raspberry over dried fig, white truffle and ripe cherry, finishing rooibos tea and savory. Serve 60–62°F; decant 30 minutes. Built to age at least 10 years and drinkable well beyond 15.

Pairs with: Duck breast, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, roast chicken, charcuterie.

Score: 95 points, Jeb Dunnuck.