Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This Pinot Noir is sourced from 8 different vineyards (Bien Nacido, Le Bon Climat, Solomon Hills, Kick On, Los Alamos, Scheid, Runway, & Westall Vineyard) and 2 different appellations (Santa Maria Valley AVA, Monterey AVA)
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: Manual harvest. Stainless steel fermentation in temperature controlled vats. The wine ages in 10% new François Frères French oak barrels for 10 months
Tasting Notes: The color is denser, tannins plush, the deep berry and spice profile well stated, all the while showing classic Au Bon Climat Pinot balance.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Beginning with the 1978 harvest, Jim Clendenen was assistant winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery for three vintages, a valued training experience. In 1981 his vision broadened with three harvests in one year as Jim worked crush and directed the harvest at wineries in Australia and France. Three harvests in one year confirmed his masochistic tendencies.In 1982, Clendenen decided, along with Adam Tolmach, to start a winery dedicated to Burgundian varietals. Adam left in 1990 to pursue his own efforts leaving Jim solo at the helm.
Au Bon Climat (which means “a well exposed vineyard”) sources fruit from several of the most highly regarded vineyards in the Central Coast. These include Clendenen’s own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and estate plantings at the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard – both in Santa Maria Valley, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County), and San Luis Obispo County’s Talley Vineyard.The winery has cultivated an international reputation for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for his classically styled wines.