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Clif Family - The Wine World's Best-Kept Secret (No Longer!)

Clif Family - The Wine World's Best-Kept Secret (No Longer!)

Clif Family Winery is celebrating 20 years of winemaking this year and we are excited to share some of the buzz behind our wines! With glowing praise from top wine publications, Clif Family wines are making waves, from the crisp Sauvignon Blanc to bold Kit’s Killer Cab. Here’s a roundup of what the wine world has been saying about Clif Family!

Forbes

Clif Family: A Culinary Destination Worth the Trip Forbes recently highlighted Clif Family Farm & Winery as a must-visit culinary destination. The article describes Clif Family as "a place where wine, food, and sustainability come together in a way that feels both luxurious and down-to-earth." From our farm-fresh fare to our exquisite wines, the piece celebrates the unique experiences we offer in the heart of Napa Valley. Our dedication to sustainability and exceptional quality truly sets us apart.

Friends enjoying a delicious meal and wine at Clif Family Winery in Napa Valley. The table is filled with mouthwatering dishes like bruschetta, crispy polenta tots, and fresh salads.

 

Wine Spectator

Exceptional Napa Sauvignon Blancs at 90 Points or More Clif Family’s 2023 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc has been highlighted in Wine Spectator as one of the top Napa Valley Sauvignon Blancs. This wine delivers a silky texture with flavors of white nectarine, passionfruit, and lemongrass, earning a well-deserved spot among the best.   Clif Family Winery, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Organic grapes, California Wine, White Wine  

Decanter

Napa Valley Cabernet 2021: Full Report & Buyer's Guide to the Vintage's Finest Wines Clif Family's 2021 Kit's Killer Cab was featured in Decanter as one of “Cristaldi’s Six Best-Value Wines of the Vintage,” earning 92 points for its complex flavors and excellent quality. Wine critic Jonathan Cristaldi described it as "a deeply flavorful, spicy, medium-bodied Cabernet teeming with red currant and black cherry fruit, dusty minerals, dried thyme and sage, and a hint of coriander.” He also highlighted its value, calling it “one of the best under-$100 value Cabernets of the [2021] vintage."

A bottle of Clif Family Winery's Kit's Killer Cab Cabernet Sauvignon, paired with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese. The image is set against a backdrop of Napa Valley rolling hills.

 

WineCountry.com

The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Food & Wine Pairings Wine Country has named Clif Family’s Kit’s Killer Cab a top pick in their guide for the best Hanukkah wine pairings. Highlighting that Cabernet Sauvignon is an ideal match for rich, flavorful dishes like braised beef short ribs, roasted rack of lamb, or a traditional Hanukkah beef brisket.   Clif Family Winery, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Organic Grapes, California Wine, Red Wine  

Wine Enthusiast

Clif Family wines have received some serious attention in the 2024 Best of the Year issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Here’s what they’re saying:
  • 2021 Kit’s Killer Cab Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 93 Points “Bursting flavors of mixed red and dark fruits accented by pink grapefruit pith are carried by silky, lightly tactile tannins into a lengthy finish. This Cabernet is mouthwatering, persistent and energetic. Spices emerge in the finish.” —E.C.B.
  • 2021 Cold Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – 92 Points “Juicy cherries, plums, cocoa, tobacco and leather make this flavorful wine intriguing. Powdery-fine tannins with the potential for aging or to serve a meal carry into a long, palate-cleansing finish.” —E.C.B.
  • 2022 Reyna Noriega Red Blend – 92 Points “A proprietary blend of Zinfandel and Cabernet with splashes of Petite Sirah and Malbec, this juicy wine connects flavors of baked plums and cherries, mixed berries and finegrained tannins. It’s approachable and well made.” —E.C.B.
  • 2022 Valle di Sotto Vineyard Zinfandel – 92 Points “Robust and full bodied, this Zinfandel-based blend combines raspberry leaf and hibiscus with spiced cherries and red fruits. Juicy and flavorful, it carries into a long finish.” —E.C.B.
  • 2023 Viognier – 92 Points “Aromatics of lemongrass, crushed lily and citrus blossom spin through flavors of lychee and white grapefruit pith. This Viognier beautifully delivers the aromatics of the variety with mouthwatering acidity, making for a flavorful and intriguing white wine.” —E.C.B
  • 2023 Sauvignon Blanc – 91 Points “White nectarine, passionfruit, lightly salted lemon and lemongrass wash through a silky mouthfeel. This Sauvignon Blanc is silky, stimulating and delicious.” —E.C.B.
    Clif Family Winery, Reyna Noriega Red Wine Blend, Napa Valley Red Wine, Organic Grapes, California Wine, Artist Wine  

James Suckling – A Toast to Excellence

Renowned wine critic James Suckling has added his voice to the growing acclaim for Clif Family wines. Known for his discerning palate and global influence, Suckling’s recent scores reflect the exceptional craftsmanship and character of Clif Family’s offerings. Here’s a look some of this year’s highlights:
  • 2022 Cold Springs Vineyard, Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon – 93 Points “…shows the mountain-grown style of age-worthy Napa reds.” – JS
  • 2022 Croquet Vineyard, Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon – 94 Points “Something quite special, as abundant blue and black fruit is gently bolstered by silky, fine-grained tannins that leave it velvety to sip now, but surely indicate it's built for further aging.” – JS
  • 2022 Cima, Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon – 94 Points “Beautifully concentrated, firmly structured and destined to improve with age.” – JS
  • 2023 Napa Valley Unoaked Chardonnay – 92 Points “So clean, vibrant and fresh, a palate-cleansing wine that captures the appley essence of chardonnay grapes without the influence of barrels.” – JS
  • 2023 Rte Blanc, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc – 92 Points “…zingy, citrus fruit flavors make this lively and refreshing…” - JS
  Clif Family Croquet Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Clif Family Enoteca Tasting Salon, Napa Valley Wine, Red Wine, Organic Grapes     Experience Clif Family's Organically Farmed and B Corp Certified Wines It’s clear that Clif Family wines are no longer Napa Valley’s best-kept secret. From holiday tables to highly-anticipated wine lists, our wines have received rave reviews. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering us, we invite you to experience Clif Family. Pop open a bottle of Kit’s Killer Cab, pour yourself a glass of Viognier, or enjoy a refreshing Rosé of Grenache—your taste buds will thank you! Shop all of these stellar Clif Family Wines today!

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