WTN: Giving Cal Chard Another Chance: Brewer-Clifton

Last weekend my Girlfriend and I took two bottles of 2004 Brewer-Clifton “Melville” Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay to an authentic shore lunch at a friend’s house where the main course was Perch and Bluegills that were 20 minutes from swimming in the lake to the fry pan.
I could not remember the last time I had a California Chardonnay. Not that there is anything wrong with them, but to my taste many of them are overwrought and overbearing. Not so with the BC’s we opened. Elegant peach, apple, pear and tangerine without a big smack of oak and enough acid to carry the fruit without being unbalanced or jagged.
I certainly hope I find other exceptions such as this California Chardonnay.

mmmmm... perch

Thanks for the note. I do like the B-C chards and am often surprised by the alcohol levels. Although when we went through a few about a year ago (05s I think) they were quite hot.

Jason

Thanks for the note. I do like the B-C chards and am often surprised by the alcohol levels. Although when we went through a few about a year ago (05s I think) they were quite hot.

Hi Jason,

These were not hot in the least but did weigh in at 14.6% ABV. I also have a few of the 2005 BC "Seasmoke" that I did not notice until after I had purchased them that they are 16.4% ABV!

I've noticed on the shelves that Brewer-Cliftons pinots do approach that 16% abv. It's interesting that the Chards are less alcoholic.

I've noticed on the shelves that Brewer-Cliftons pinots do approach that 16% abv. It's interesting that the Chards are less alcoholic.

I think many of the B-C chards are in the high 15 and 16% range.

Jason