November 18, 2016

BREWER-CLIFTON “Machado” Pinot Noir 2013

(Sta. Rita Hills, CA) $90

Thanksgiving is next week, and among the things I am thankful for is pinot noir. The lessons of pinot are many: intensity without volume; darkness within lightness; the beauty of a touch of corruption. Brewer-Clifton has a fine hand at all of these. Their 2013 “Machado” bottling (named after the family who owns the vineyard) is a pinot with a deep slow voice. A pinot that will envelop your palate…and your mind.

95 points KM

Available at Brewer-Clifton

Which of these wines is fortified before primary fermentation is complete?

A. Sherry

B. Madeira

C. Port

D. Eiswein

Unlike Sherry or Madeira which can be fortified before or after primary fermentation is completed, Port is fortified with neutral grape spirits (clear brandy) before fermentation is complete. Once Port grapes are crushed, the soupy mass is poured into a tank so that fermentation can begin to turn the grapes’ sugars to alcohol. About thirty-six hours into the process, when about half the natural sugar has been converted into alcohol, fermentation must be stopped. To do so, clear brandy with an alcoholic strength of 77 percent (about 150 proof) is added to the Port. The alcohol in the brandy causes the yeasts in the wine to die, and fermentation subsides. The result is a sweet wine with about 7 percent residual sugar and fortified to about 20 percent alcohol.

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BREWER-CLIFTON “Machado” Pinot Noir 2013

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