2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Isabelle

Au Bon Climat has been making Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County for 30 years. The winemaking philosophy and practices have changed little in that time. Older equipment has been replaced by newer technology, but better equipment has improved the wines and allowed for gentler processing. They still hand pick and hand sort everything in the vineyard. They still use open top fermenters that allow them to "punch" by hand. And the top Pinot Noirs are never pumped, only moved by gravity. The high-end Pinots are aged in new French oak. Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir has been basically the same since 1982, only better.

The Isabelle Pinot Noir is a wine from the Blue Series of Au Bon Climat. Blue series wines are the wines that they like to show and are most proud of. Isabelle is unlike any other Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir. Au Bon Climat's top Pinot Noirs prior to the creation of Isabelle in 1994 were all single vineyard wines. Isabelle was the first top Pinot Noir to be a blend of multiple sites. 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. They blend the best barrels from no less than six different vineyards. 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 first selection, the barrels are re-evaluated a few months later, just before Isabelle is 'put together'

When the Isabelle from the Blue Line of Au Bon Climat is released, it is almost immediately sold out! A top pinot noir comparable to the most beautiful (and then much more expensive Burgundies). It is a clear and exuberant wine that is beautifully balanced. Sweet red cherries, orange peel, herbs and dried herbs open first, followed by floral notes that lead to the middle of the palate and the aftertaste. Silky soft and quite elegant and will only become more beautiful with age. Delicious with filet mignon, lamb chops with a red wine sauce or a classic boeuf bourguignon.

About the Blue Series from Au Bon Climat

Blue Series wines are the wines they like to show and are most proud of. They are all made from the best cuvées from impressive vineyards and get the highest percentage of new French oak. Traditionally, the Blue Series includes a Chardonnay, "Nuits Blanche", a White Blend "Hildegard" and two Pinot Noirs, "Isabelle" and "Knox Alexander". The Blue Series also includes special bottlings such as "Larmes de Grappe" and Anniversary wines. As the official exclusive importer of Au Bon Climat, we of course carry these wines.

FACT: In the Tab: Attachment you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.