Press Love & Wine Scores.
WINE SCORES ~
WINE SCORES ~
Steve Clifton has been making wine for over 30 years. Here are our current vintages he’s produced.
He said these are his best wines yet….
A quote from Robert Parker, the most influential wine critic in the world:
"As I have written in the past, no one in California (and probably in the New World) is doing what Steve Clifton has managed to do working with Italian varietals in selected micro-climates in the Santa Barbara area. From the get-go, his dry, crisp, light to medium-bodied whites were a revelation for California, and he continues to dial up the quality of the Italian varietal reds, even managing to come close to conquering the hardest varietal of all for anyone outside Northern Italy – Nebbiolo.
At present, 'Clifton' is the only reference point for what can be achieved in California with Italian varietals. Hats off to Steve Clifton!"
93 pts
Vega Vineyard & Farm 2023 Barbera
Los Olivos District, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
Red wine from United States
Drinking window: 2024 - 2031
The 2023 Barbera is seriously delicious. Vibrant red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and rose petal are front and center, framed by bright acids that convey tons of varietal character. This is such a attractive wine. Impressive. Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: July 2024 © 2023 Vinous Media
93 Points
Vega Vineyard and Farm 2021 Barbera (Santa Ynez Valley)
Bright red fruit, spicy cinnamon, red flowers and a hint of wood show on the nose of this bottling by veteran winemaker Steve Clifton. The palate is juicy, spicy and energetic, offering rounded fruit with a tart bite, more red spice and a peppery acidity.
— Matt Kettmann. Published 9/1/2023 WINE ENTHUSIAST
93 Points
Vega Vineyard and Farm 2021 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
Fresh and vivid aromas of raspberry jam, shaved cinnamon and sumac pick up a pinch of white pepper on the nose of this bold Pinot Noir. The palate is juicy in red fruits and wrapped in a warm pastry flavor, with a persistent hard spice element that keeps the finish energized.
— Matt Kettmann Published 9/1/2023 WINE ENTHUSIAST
92 pts
Vega Vineyard & Farm 2023 Pinot Grigio
Los Olivos District, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
White wine from United States
Drinking window: 2024 - 2028
The 2023 Pinot Grigio is another terrific wine in this range from Steve Clifton. Slow pressing gives the Pinot Grigio an extra bit of textural richness without fully veering into the realm of skin-contact wines. Pear, apple, white flowers, mint and pretty tropical overtones build nicely in the glass.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: July 2024 © 2023 Vinous Media
92 pts
Vega Vineyard & Farm 2023 Malvasia Bianca
Los Olivos District, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
White wine from United States
Drinking window: 2024 - 2028
The 2023 Malvasia Bianca is a gorgeous white with tons of varietal character. White flowers, mint, pear and exotic spice notes all grace this open-knit, super-expressive white. This is an especially creamy style of Malvasia Bianca.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: July 2024 © 2023 Vinous Media
90 Points
Vega Vineyard and Farm 2021 Albariño (Santa Maria Valley)
Coconut, plumeria and apple blossom aromas align into a pleasant nose on this bottling. The palate tightens up a bit, focusing on tangerine pith and apple peel flavors.
— Matt Kettmann. Published 9/1/2023 WINE ENTHUSIAST
90 Points
Vega Vineyard and Farm 2021 Pinot Grigio (Santa Barbara County)
Crisp aromas of melon and cut apples meet with dusty earth on the nose of this bottling. The palate mixes dried apple and fresh lime sorbet on the pleasant and easygoing palate.
— Matt Kettmann. Published 9/1/2023 WINE ENTHUSIAST
New Scores come out Sepember 30th! And we are so excited.
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