Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc 2019

Synopsis, Our Opinion: A zesty white that was an outstanding value.

Producer/Winery: Jim Clendenen; Au Bon Climat; Santa Maria, California.

Grape Variety: Blend – 75% Pinot Gris and 25% Pinot Blanc.

Geographic Appellation, Region, Country: Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California.

Vintage: 2019

Price: $14.40 (with a club discount)

Purchased From: Au Bon Climat tasting room; Santa Barbara, California.

Paired With: Shrimp and crab cocktail, avocado-citrus salad and roasted red pepper aioli; Caesar salad, house made dressing, Parmesan cheese and garlic croutons. (This was the first and second course of an Undercurrent restaurant virtual Valentines Day dinner.)

Tasting:

Note: The undercurrent restaurant had a virtual Valentines day wine dinner that came with or without wines. We chose not to have the wines the undercurrent paired with the dinner and instead chose two that were a little more upscale and from our cellar. We had this wine with the first and second courses.

Chilled before drinking. Clear, very light wheat straw color. Citrusy and perfume-like aromas. Smooth entry, dry, fresh and lively with a slightly creamy or viscid mouthfeel, solid medium body and a 150-grit texture. Strong lemon, lime, quince and nutty flavors intertwined with mineral. Bright acidity and a long very fresh and flavorful lime finish. WOW, lots of rousing tastes, an assertive mineral backbone and sassy acidity. An interesting blend that’s better than a Pinot Gris or Pinot Blanc varietal. A real pick-me-up paired with either the shrimp and crab or the salad. We called it a zesty white that was an outstanding value.

Alcohol Content: 13%

Closure: Aluminum covered 45mm Natural cork.

UPC Code: 8 50755 00001 1

Imported by: Not applicable.