Description

Au Bon Climat has been making Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County grapes since 1982, 23 years before Sideways. In the 1980s and 90s the product mix was at Au Bon Climat was 75% to 80% Chardonnay to 20% to 25% Pinot Noir. Chardonnay was king and people had not discovered the joys of Pinot Noir. All this began to change in the late 90s and now Au Bon Climat makes an equal amount of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Strawberry and blackberry aromas slowly rise out of the glass. Over time, more of the anise and clove will mix with these other aromas. Currently, the wine is young with mouth-filling intensity and suppleness. Complexity will increase as the wine ages, but this wine should stay “fresh” for 6 or 7 years.

The flinty, stony aromas stand out, while in the background is an intriguing spice note of clove and nutmeg