Clif Family Wines & a New Idea in Packaging

Does the mention of the Ford Edsel bring a lump to your throat? Do you sigh for the passing of the Pontiac? Do you miss black and white television? Well, another classic icon may be next in line for passing into the land of the lost; the wine bottle. One producer, the Clif Family Winery is experimenting with a small 1.5 liter aseptic wine package. That would be of just passing interest if the Clif Family wines were ordinary, but they are not, their wines are extraordinary and affordable; an unbeatable combination.
While Cliff family wines are in national distribution, they may not be easy to find. They are available over the internet at Clif Familywinery.com. Do take a look at the site, there are many other quality Clif Family Wines displayed there that definitely deserve your interest if you are a true wine lover.

Clif Family 2010 The Climber Sauvignon Blanc ($14). If we rated wines by the number, 1-10 we would give this wine a 24. Never has there been such a sauvignon blanc. It is a magnificent blending of 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Riesling, 7% viognier and 1% muscat. The aroma is a whirlwind of honeydew, citrus and tropical fruits all leading to a flavor of white fruits and citrus. Words are not enough to describe this wine. We recommend this wine without exception and to miss it would be a great loss.

Clif Family The Climber Pouch Chardonnay ($16.99). This wine is cleverly presented in a 1.5 liter, remarkably small pouch with a built in spigot. The wine is a true California, full fruit chardonnay. The wine is made to be open and fruity in the true California style of winemaking. The wine’s light and attractive golden color announces the prominent aromas of pineapple, citrus, melon and vanilla. These aromas continue right through to the flavor where they are joined by pear and a hint of butterscotch in the background. This wine is not totally dry but has just a bit of residual fruit sugar left unfermented to enhance and compliment the fruit flavors of the wine. We found this to be a wine that is very easy to drink, enjoyable and an excellent buy for the money.

Clif Family The Climber Pouch Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99). There is something about a cabernet sauvignon that brings out the critic in everybody. To that, the Clif Family says “bring ‘em on.” This is not a quickly fermented, rush-to-market wine. It is a wine that has been made in the traditional method and set away to age properly. During that time the wine has mellowed and developed all of the flavor nuances that are necessary for a better cabernet sauvignon. What results is a soft, supple wine that offers the flavor and aromas of cherries and plums along with the traditional cassis flavors. Unlike most of the popularly priced cabernet sauvignons, the Clif Family, The Climber Pouch Cabernet Sauvignon has a reasonably long and fruit laden finish. This wine is ready to drink right now and will require no further aging, however it is capable of up to five years of aging to add extra complexity to the wine; if you can wait that long.

Clif Family 2007 Gary’s Improv Napa Valley Zinfandel ($35). Zinfandel is a pure Californian. Whether it originated overseas or not, has no meaning as the variety has taken on a life and style of its own in the United States. Clif Family 2007 Gary’s Improv Napa Valley Zinfandel is a fine expression of this variety and is one of the best that we have yet tasted from the 2007 vintage. It is a deeply colored wine with a pronounced raspberry, vanilla and oak flavor and aroma. The wine has a noticeable softness and smoothness and can accompany just about anything. These wines are best consumed in its youth when the intense and characteristic raspberry flavor is at its height, but they can be aged to further develop their potential.