2014 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Machado
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Pinot Noir Machado is another rounded, full-bodied example of this vineyard and has complex notes of ripe cherries, incense, applewood, and exotic spices. With beautiful fruit and no hard edges, it’s another candidate for drinking any time over the coming 8-10 years or so. This was another thrilling lineup from Greg Brewer, and I consistently rate these wines as some of the greatest in the Sta. Rita Hills, as well as all of Santa Barbara County. In addition to the latest releases, I was also able to taste retrospectives of his Chardonnay 3D and Pinot Noir Machado, which only reaffirmed my belief in the quality and age-worthiness of these wines. These are brilliant wines.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Chardonnay Machado offers a more crisp, lively style in its citrus blossom, caramelized pineapple, crushed rock and white flower bouquet. This gives way to a ripe, textured, layered Chardonnay that has moderate acidity, good mid-palate concentration and plenty of length. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years.
The 2014 Pinot Noir Machado is distinguished by its spine of tannin and vertical sense of structure. The interplay of rich, creamy fruit and underpinning structure is compelling. A host of dark red cherry, plum and spice notes open up in the glass, but the Machado is, above all else, a wine that speaks to the inherent structure of this cool Sta. Rita Hills site. The 2014 will offer plenty of intrigue over the next decade or so. Today, it is terrific.