2022 Brewer-Clifton - Syrah Ex Post Facto (750ml)

Ex Post Facto is a side project from Greg Brewer, the winemaker who built Brewer-Clifton into one of Sta. Rita Hills' most respected names for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir over the past two decades before the winery was acquired by Jackson Family Wines. With Ex Post Facto, Brewer steps outside his usual Burgundian focus to explore Rhône-style Syrah from his adopted home of Santa Barbara County. The name borrows a legal term for a law applied retroactively to something once permitted, a fitting nod to a winemaker breaking his own established rules.

The 2022 vintage comes from Perilune Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, a cool-climate pocket of Santa Barbara County better known for delicate whites and reds than bold Rhône varieties. Brewer ferments the Syrah with a portion of whole clusters, a technique he brought over from his Pinot Noir work, aiming for a lighter, more transparent style than the variety's typical Central Coast expression. The resulting wine leans toward restraint and precision rather than sheer power.

Aromas of green peppercorn, dried clove, olive brine, and menthol give way to a palate of black cherry, raspberry, and dried blackberry, with a floral lilac note running through. The texture stays firm, dry, and persistent through a savory finish. It suits grilled venison, herb-crusted pork loin, or a board of briny olives and cured meats.