The 2009 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe bursts onto the palate with a rush of super-ripe exotic fruit. The fleshiness and sheer muscle of the Pommard clone come through in spades while any suggestion of stems is very much in the background if apparent at all. This is a fabulous showing from Brewer-Clifton. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. No one has done more to carry the banner for the Santa Rita Hills than Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton. Both together at Brewer-Clifton and separately in their other projects Brewer and Clifton consistently deliver delicious wines that are also deeply thought provoking with regards to the potential these vineyard sites hold. The Pinots in particular are compelling. The 2009 Pinots saw a seven day cold soak and fermentations that lasted a total of 35-40 days with 100% stems. -AG