2019 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Isabelle
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Year | 2019 |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2022 - 2032 |
Au Bon Climat has been making Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County for 30 years. Winemaking philosophy and winemaking practices have changed little during that time. Older equipment has been replaced by newer technologies, but better equipment improved the wines and allowed for softer processing. They still pick and sort everything by hand in the vineyard. They still use open top fermenters which allow them to "punch" by hand. And the top Pinot Noirs are never pumped, and only moved by gravity. The high-end Pinots are aged in new French oak. Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir is basically the same since 1982, only better.
Isabelle is unlike any other Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir. Au bon Climat's top Pinot Noirs prior to making Isabelle in 1994 were all single vineyard wines. Isabelle was the first top Pinot Noir to be a blend of different locations. After the birth of his daughter in 1995, Jim Clendenen wanted to make a special wine in her honor. Isabelle has developed into a unique young woman and her wine is unique to Au Bon Climat, a blended, high end Pinot Noir. The best barrels from no less than six different vineyards are blended. These vineyards range from two vineyards in Northern California, one in the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, and another in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, along with five or six of the best vineyards on the Central Coast. Making the best wine from our best barrels is the goal, so the blend has varied over the years. After tasting the best lots, they go through the barrel selection process. This tasting process takes a few days, after the initial selection, the barrels are reassessed a few months later, just before Isabelle is 'assembled'
When the Isabelle from the Blue Line of Au Bon climat is released, it is almost immediately sold out! Isabelle is a knockout every year. Why? Because it only consists of the best cuvées every year, so even in lesser years this is a hit, but let 2018 have been a great year so we know enough. A top pinot noir comparable to the most beautiful (and then much more expensive Bourgognes). full of dried cherries, raspberry tart, spicy oak and hints of earth and forest floor. Earned 95 points Jeb Dunnuck; 93 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous.
The brain behind the Au Bon Climat winery is Jim Clendenen. He was born in Akron, Ohio and graduated in law from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1976. During his studies he had his "junior year abroad" in 1974 in France where he discovered that life was more than just tacos. After graduation, he spent both a month in Burgundy and Champagne, which convinced him to pursue a career in wine rather than pursuing a law degree. During the 1978 harvest, Jim Clendenen was an assistant winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery. He stayed there for 3 years and gained a great wealth of experience. In 1982 Clendenen, together with Adam Tolmach, decided to establish a winery with only Burgundian varieties of rented plots. In 1990 Adam left again and Jim took the helm solo. Through careful reinvestment from its own production, Au Bon Climat (meaning "a well-exposed vineyard") has grown to over 50,000 crates per year.
Au Bon Climat collects grapes from several vineyards on the California Central Coast, particularly Santa Barbara County, all of which are highly regarded. These include Clendenen's very own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and also grapes from the legendary Bien Nacido vineyard - both in Santa Maria Valley. Also grapes from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County) and Talley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County.
The winery has built an international reputation with its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, as they call it the "Mind Behind" Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for its classically styled wines. In 1989 and 1990, Au Bon Climat was on Robert Parker's shortlist of Best Wineries in the World and in 1991 was selected by Oz Clark as one of the 50 global creators of Modern Classic Wines. Dan Berger of the Los Angeles Times named Clendenen "Los Angeles Time Winemaker of the Year" in 1992; Food & Wine Magazine named him "Winemaker of the Year" in 2001. Germany's leading wine magazine Wein Gourmet named Clendenen "Winemaker of the World;" and in 2007 Jim was inducted into the James Beard Foundation's "Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America." There are many accolades, but Jim does not rest on his laurels. He is constantly looking to refine his profession and therefore leads the pack.
Au Bon Climat wines order online at Grand Cru wines
You can of course buy Au Bon Climat wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine trade with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium, where you can order both special wines and wines for every budget. Quality products, fast delivery & reliable service that is Grand Crus!
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Year | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2022 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Tasting Profiles | Dry, Fruity, Aged on wood, Red fruit, Flexible, Full |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
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