Synopsis, Our Opinion: A gutsy yet elegant California Pinot Noir.
Producer/Winery: Jim Clendenen; Au Bon Climat; Santa Maria, California.
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir.
Geographic Appellation, Region, Country: Santa Ynez Valley; Central Coast, California.
Vintage: 2017
Price: $40 (with a club discount)
Purchased From: Au Bon Climat tasting room; Santa Barbara, California.
Paired With: Roast turkey with dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and cranberry sauce.
Tasting:
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Note: We have reviewed the 2014 vintage of this wine before (see: Au Bon Climat Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014). We found it to be quite different from the 2017 vintage paired with the turkey and are reviewing it again.
Opened 30-minutes before drinking. Clear, ruby color with a very slightly lighter rim. Musty red fruit, tobacco field on a humid summer morning and sweet spice aromas. Very textural mouthfeel, medium body and an 80-grit texture. Flavorful cherry, raspberry and cranberry fruit with a touch of cinnamon, spicy clove and orange citrus. Medium, yet fresh acidity, fine grained tannins and a powerful fruity finish. WOW, nice California Pinot with the vibrant fruit flavors, lusciously spiced mid-palate and lingering finish. We didn’t have any Gewurztraminer in our cellar so selected this California Pinot Noir and it was FANTASTIC with the turkey dinner. We called it a gutsy yet elegant California Pinot Noir.
Photo from Sanford Winery.
See all our reviews of Au Bon Climat wines.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Closure: Aluminum covered 50mm Natural cork.
UPC Code: 8 50755 00008 0
Imported by: Not applicable.