PALMINA

Founded by Steve and Chrystal Clifton, Palmina is a Californian celebration of the rich, wonderful lifestyle and attitude toward food, wine, friends and family that exists in Italy. While the wines are definitely based on Italian varieties of grapes, the intended expression of the wines is more focused on the approach and mind set toward wine in Italian culture rather than what percentages of what grapes are used - with a little California lifestyle and attitude to round out the wines? personality and give it a little ?left coast? spin. While Brewer-Clifton pursues the purest possible expression of Burgundian varietals, Palmina is a passion project devoted to producing exclusively Italian varietal wines.

"At present, Palmina is the only reference point for what can be achieved in California with Italian varietals. Steve Clifton has worked in Italy, studying the finest producers in the northeast sector of that country, and stands alone in California as being able to translate the fragile, yet ethereal character of Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, not to mention some brilliant stainless steel fermented and aged white wines, into wines of considerable class and interest. Why Clifton has been able to achieve such success while others have failed is another story altogether, but his wines merit significant attention. Hats off to Steve Clifton!" Robert Parker

palminawines.com/index.htm

Barbera Bien Nacido
The red wine grape called Barbera is grown in many places worldwide, but it is perhaps most famous in wines from northern Italy. Barbera typically has some of the flavor characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon but with higher acidity, light tannins, deep garnet colors and medium to full body. The Bien Nacido vineyard is ideally situated in the east?west facing Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County. Because of the vineyard's proximity to the Pacific Ocean, cool afternoon breezes and morning fog moderate the weather, leading to long, even, growing seasons. The entire vineyard has a gently sloping southern exposure that gives maximum sunlight to ripen the fruit. And the soil at Bien Nacido is a unique shaley loam, which adds to the complexity and intensity of the flavors found here.
2002 $22.99
"The medium bodied, vibrant, earthy, herb and oak scented 2002 Barbera will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 1-3 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #154

2004 $22.99

Alisos
2003 $18.99
"A field blend of 76% sangiovese and 24% merlot; aged in neutral French oak. Dried strawberry and flowers on the nose. At once supple and refreshing; fat and full but with a slight dried-berry edge to the flavors and good spice character. A wine of contrasts, with a bass note of prune and high floral notes, with the merlot filling in the middle. The trace of dried-fruit character comes from the fact that 10% of the berries were dried on special racks and straw mats for three months. Finishes broad and quite dry. I like this style. From 17-year-old vines planted on a steep, south-facing slope of sandy loam." 90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 7/8-05

2004 $21.99
More than simply a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, Alisos is Palmina?s signature wine. The intent and extreme focus of this blend is to create a wine with style, concentration and structure using many of the techniques of the Veneto region of Italy. Since the very first days of Palmina in 1995, this wine has been produced from Sangiovese and Merlot. Beginning in 2001, the wine has been crafted from grapes from a single vineyard source - the Alisos vineyard located in the rolling hills near the town of Los Alamos, California. The steep south-facing hills, low yields, cool growing conditions, and meticulous farming of the vineyard have produced fruit that is superb.

Dolcetto Zotovich
2004 18.99

Pinot Grigio Santa Barbara
The Pinot Grigio was cold-fermented in 100% stainless steel to preserve the flower and fruit aromas and flavors. Partial malolactic fermentation preserves a natural acidic balance. Total production is 200 cases.
2005 $15.99
The spun straw color, along with the brilliant clarity of the wine makes it seem like it is dancing in your glass. A swirl unleashes a delicate bouquet of white clover, a hint of tropical fruit and a granite-like minerality. At first taste, the Palmina style is evident ? this is a supple, creamy, textural Pinot Grigio with body and yet a lightness of being. Apricots and nectarine notes are joined by honeydew melon and a spicy nuance of tapioca on the long and lingering finish.

2004 $18.99
The first impression of the wine is of heady aromatics that are floral, with distinct notes of white flower, apricot blossoms and lilies, with hints of fresh bread and lycees. The wine has a bracing and lively fruit-acid balance, with nuances of minerality, a subtle reminder of fruit-pie meringue and a long, lingering and pleasant lemon-lime finish.

Malvasia Bianca Larner
Malvasia Bianca is one of the most widely-planted grape varieties in Italy. On Sardinia and Sicily, it makes rare, rich and wonderfully aromatic passito wines; it is prominent in light, dry wines such as Frascati from central Italy and Malvasia Istriana from Friuli, and the legendary Vin Santo of Tuscany, which can be quite dry or very sweet. The Larner vineyard is on Ballard Canyon Road, between Solvang and Buellton. The Larner vineyard has just over an acre of Malvasia Bianca vines, so quantities are very limited. Only 100 cases produced.

2004 $22.99
The first impression is visual ? this wine looks like liquid 14K gold ? a newly placed wedding ring! The aromatics are sensual ? nectar, ripe apricots, jasmine, white flowers and lycees. In a word, the wine is ?fragrant?. A hint of surprise is evident on the first taste ? this is an elegant, dry wine that has honeyed characteristics and a silky texture. A bit of nuttiness is complemented by flavors of spun clover honey, with a hint of pear with allspice. The finish is l-o-n-g and lingering and rich. It needs a long, lingering meal for its full potential! No doubt about it ? this is a sexy wine.