Brewer-Clifton 3D Chardonnay 2017
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Jeb
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Robert
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Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
3D was the first vineyard planted by their estate farming team in 2007. While the majority of the nine acre parcel substantiates their Sta. Rita Hills bottling, this effort is sourced entirely from the bottom portion of the field. Mirroring the body of a fish, we planted leaner/firmer clones at the top of the vineyard leading down to more fleshy/oily selections at the lower section where the sand turns a bit darker. Wente and Mount Eden selections are, as such, congruous with Chotoro and Otoro within the body of a tuna. Barrel fermented in their oldest barrels where the wine remains on non-disturbed lees for sixteen months.
Similar in spirit to the Sta. Rita Hills yet with more exuberant aromatics coupled with a more luxurious and oily mouthfeel.
Vegan
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
One of the larger production single vineyards as well as the only one to go out to distribution, the 2017 Chardonnay 3D comes from a more easterly site that was planted in 2007. It's a richer Chardonnay and offers an ethereal, gorgeously pure bouquet of caramelized citrus, white flowers, pineapple, honeysuckle, and toasted bread. Beautifully layered, seamless, and polished, with medium to full-bodied richness, it's another rocking effort.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Chardonnay 3D has a wonderfully open nose of honey-drizzled hazelnut, sweet hay, warm peach and nectarine with white blossoms, a hint of chamomile, red apple skin and a strong line of crushed rock minerality. It's medium to full-bodied and juicy with tons of ripe, honeyed fruits that segue back to lime skin and crushed stone on the very long, energetic finish. About 750 cases are available.
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Wine Spectator
Sleek, with powerful minerality to the pure-tasting flavors of pear tart, apple pastry and peach. Rich lemon curd accents fill in midpalate and linger on spicy and well-framed finish. Drink now through 2025.
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Wine Enthusiast
This bottling's nose is delicate yet focused with aromas of lemon blossoms, lemon candy, lemon balm and lemon verbena, as well as a touch of nectarine. The sip snaps with green-citrus flavors of grapefruit before warming up toward brioche with lemon filling, all surrounding lively acidity and compelling texture. Drink now–2032. Cellar Selection
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Wine & Spirits
From a cool, sandy site Brewer-Clifton developed in 2007, this fires on three cylinders: rich, tropical fruit (think pineapple); waves of fine, sleek acidity; and a nutty, oaky richness. The net effect is structured and racy, with a mouthwatering hazelnut finish that brings to mind a pairing with buttery roast carrots and leeks.
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Jeb
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Brewer-Clifton believes the geographic, geologic and climatic uniqueness of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation provides an ideal place to grow chardonnay and pinot noir grapes of intensity, complexity and specificity. This is why Founder and Winemaker Greg Brewer, Wine Enthusiast’s 2020 Winemaker of the Year, has dedicated his life to this region. Within this appellation, each vineyard carries its own imprint. The Brewer-Clifton mission and passion is to present wines that convey the characteristics inherent to each of these sites, with uncompromising quality.
Brewer–Clifton has the utmost respect for nature. They believe when working with a product of nature, it is necessary to maintain an awareness of the elements and phenomena sometimes beyond their understanding and control. As such, any intervention in the natural evolution of the product must be carried out with the utmost attentiveness and care.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.