Brewer-Clifton 2005 Mount Carmel Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir

thedrew

Poured from the bottle this wine is very light even for a pinot. Thick strawberry jam and pectin on the nose with almost positive ashtray smoke action. I get some fern or other greenery coming through on the nose as well, an extremely inspiring and impressive nose. The heavy alcohol on this wine weighing in at an unmistakable 15.6% is very graceful. The mouthfeel is really nice, slightly disappointed with the flavor profile on this wine, really follows the nose nearly to a T. Lots of smoky strawberry jam with greenery. Nice finish that lingers on and on and on. There is a bit of the high booze level rearing its head towards the middle of the finish but it’s overpowered by a velvety warm graham cracker with strawberry jam reduction topping. A very unique, unapologetic, dare I say sophisticated wine. I would highly recommend this wine. The best pinot I’ve had yet out of Cali.

Tasting Tags: fern jam pectin smoke strawberry