2017 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir 3-D
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Tasting notes
From a warmer site and an even split of Swan and Pommard clones, not destemmed, the 2017 Pinot Noir 3D offers plenty of riper black cherry, earth, spice, and meaty notes as well as a layered, medium to full-bodied, textured style on the palate. It has good acidity, plenty of classic savory, spicy Sta. Rita hills style, and a great finish. 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
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Pinot Noir 3D is a deep, powerful wine endowed with tremendous intensity. Next to the other Pinots in the range, the 3D feels quite virile. White pepper, crushed rocks, savory herbs and chalk give the 3D a beguiling upper register to play off its dense fruit and imposing structure. Veins of salinity give energy and brightness. This is such a compelling and promising wine.
This comes from half Swan and half Pommard clones planted in sand in a warmer, more eastern part of the Sta. Rita Hills. The 2017 Pinot Noir 3D is pale to medium ruby and has aromas of pipe tobacco, perfumed earth, dried flowers and woodsmoke with ripe red and black cherries, rhubarb and raspberry preserves. Light to medium-bodied, it's saline on entry, fleshing out to warm, perfumed fruits, with fine, grainy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long and earthy. 100 cases were made.