Synopsis, Our Opinion: This wine was so fresh, flavorful and balanced…every sip was an irresistible and captivating experience.
Producer/Winery: Jim Clendenen; Au Bon Climat; Santa Maria, California.
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir.
Geographic Appellation: Sanford & Benedict Vineyard; Sta. Rita Hills; Santa Ynez Valley; Central Coast, California.
Vintage: 2014
Price: $50.00
Purchased From: Au Bon Climat tasting room; Santa Barbara, California.
Paired With: Grilled salmon, salt potatoes and roasted carrots.
Tasting:
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Opened two-hours before drinking. Clear, very dark ruby red with just bit of rust color and a lighter rim. Earthy cherry, current and strawberry aromas. Super approachable, a little lush and medium-weight with a 1000-grit texture. Intense dusty, tart, red fruit flavors, delicious fresh acidity and SMOOTH, SMOOTH integrated tannins that grow and continue through a long slightly spicy finish. This is a real WOW, WOW California Pinot Noir it is so FRESH and LIGHT. For the last few weeks we have had an assortment of California Pinot Noir and this one is simply luscious. We learned about Jim Clendenen and his Au Bon Climat wines in Jon Bonné’s book The New California Wine and after visiting the Au Bon Climat tasting room in Santa Barbara we were hooked…these are MARVELOUS California Pinot Noirs. California sunshine fruity, yes; but light, silky smooth and complex. This wine was so fresh, flavorful and balanced…every sip was an irresistible and captivating experience.
Photo from Sanford Winery.
See all our reviews of Au Bon Climat wines.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Closure: Natural cork.
UPC Code: 8 50755 00008 0
Imported by: NA