2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2034 |
In stock
6 items available
Description
Au Bon Climat's slogan, "An homage to the wines of Burgundy," sums it up perfectly. The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander from the Santa Maria Valley is a wine from Au Bon Climat's Blue Series. Blue Series wines are the ones they love to showcase and are most proud of.
Tasting notes
The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander is a refined, layered Pinot Noir. Aromas of cherry, cranberry, red currant, and dark chocolate emerge, with an intriguing hint of forest floor deep within. The flavors develop continuously, starting with raspberry and progressing to dark cocoa. French oak, vanilla, and balanced tannins are discernible in the background.
Winemaker Notes
As with all our Pinot Noirs, we begin with a hand-harvest in the vineyard. Each Pinot Noir is fermented in 5-ton open-top fermenters and punched twice daily. This method ensures that the grape skins that float to the top during fermentation are re-mixed with the juice, extracting the best aromas of the Pinot grapes. For this vintage, 25% of the grapes were fermented whole bunches, which is exceptional for a Knox bottling. The wine is dry-pressed and then placed in François Frères French oak barrels, where it ages for 22 months on fine lees. The elements of whole-bunch fermentation and new oak are beautifully balanced in the wine. A strict barrel selection process was carried out to select the best lots for the Knox bottling. The 2020 harvest was large, allowing us to choose from a wider range of barrels. The 2020 is one of our best vintages, with an "exuberant" character, intensity, balance and complexity.
Background story
Named after Jim Clendenen's son, Knox, this wine is a blend of our finest lots from the Santa Maria Valley appellation. The majority of the 2020 vintage (86.5%) comes from the prestigious Bien Nacido vineyard. Block 2 of Bien Nacido was planted in 1994 with Pinot Noir, primarily clone 115. This vineyard has a southwest exposure, ideal for morning sun, although the Santa Maria fog often blocks it. Another premium block of Pinot Noir at Bien Nacido is Block 11, planted in 1997 with clones 667, 777, 115, 2A, Swan, and Jackson, and has a steep northwest slope. The remaining 13.5% of the grapes for this vintage come from the Runway vineyard, located adjacent to Bien Nacido. Although close by, the Pinot Noir from this location has a much deeper, richer and darker fruit character.
The use of whole bunches is rare for a Knox bottling. The large 2020 harvest allowed us to carefully select the best barrels. The wine has a more exuberant character with good intensity for a young wine that will continue to develop in the coming years.
About the Blue Series from Au Bon Climat
Blue Series wines are the wines they love to showcase and are most proud of. They are all made from the finest cuvées from impressive vineyards and feature 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 naturally carry these wines.
FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount . You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2034 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 91 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 91
Reviewed by:
Matthew Luczy
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2033
A barrel selection of Santa Maria's Bien Nacdio, Solomon Hills and Runway Vineyards, the 2021 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander is dark, brooding and toasted on the nose. The palate straddles velvety richness with charming grace, finishing with oak-derived flavors that meld with balanced, fragrant fruits. While in a similar style to the Isabelle bottling, I preferred this due to its additional energy and lifted finish.
The passing of Jim Clendenen in 2021 was a seismic event in the Santa Barbara County wine world. Much of the region's international relevance and renown can be attributed directly to the success of Au Bon Climat, itself the product of Clendenen's unwavering exuberance and enthusiasm. Now a second-generation winery under the stewardship of Isabella and Knox Clendenen, winemaking operations are still overseen by General Manager Jim Adelman, as they have been for the past three decades. This consistency is clearly displayed in the latest releases, which continue the tradition of toasty, rich Chardonnays and pleasantly rustic Pinot Noirs, all of which see long élevages in large-format François Frères barrels.
Published: Oct 10, 2024
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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!
Au Bon Climat's slogan, "An homage to the wines of Burgundy," sums it up perfectly. The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander from the Santa Maria Valley is a wine from Au Bon Climat's Blue Series. Blue Series wines are the ones they love to showcase and are most proud of.
Tasting notes
The Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander is a refined, layered Pinot Noir. Aromas of cherry, cranberry, red currant, and dark chocolate emerge, with an intriguing hint of forest floor deep within. The flavors develop continuously, starting with raspberry and progressing to dark cocoa. French oak, vanilla, and balanced tannins are discernible in the background.
Winemaker Notes
As with all our Pinot Noirs, we begin with a hand-harvest in the vineyard. Each Pinot Noir is fermented in 5-ton open-top fermenters and punched twice daily. This method ensures that the grape skins that float to the top during fermentation are re-mixed with the juice, extracting the best aromas of the Pinot grapes. For this vintage, 25% of the grapes were fermented whole bunches, which is exceptional for a Knox bottling. The wine is dry-pressed and then placed in François Frères French oak barrels, where it ages for 22 months on fine lees. The elements of whole-bunch fermentation and new oak are beautifully balanced in the wine. A strict barrel selection process was carried out to select the best lots for the Knox bottling. The 2020 harvest was large, allowing us to choose from a wider range of barrels. The 2020 is one of our best vintages, with an "exuberant" character, intensity, balance and complexity.
Background story
Named after Jim Clendenen's son, Knox, this wine is a blend of our finest lots from the Santa Maria Valley appellation. The majority of the 2020 vintage (86.5%) comes from the prestigious Bien Nacido vineyard. Block 2 of Bien Nacido was planted in 1994 with Pinot Noir, primarily clone 115. This vineyard has a southwest exposure, ideal for morning sun, although the Santa Maria fog often blocks it. Another premium block of Pinot Noir at Bien Nacido is Block 11, planted in 1997 with clones 667, 777, 115, 2A, Swan, and Jackson, and has a steep northwest slope. The remaining 13.5% of the grapes for this vintage come from the Runway vineyard, located adjacent to Bien Nacido. Although close by, the Pinot Noir from this location has a much deeper, richer and darker fruit character.
The use of whole bunches is rare for a Knox bottling. The large 2020 harvest allowed us to carefully select the best barrels. The wine has a more exuberant character with good intensity for a young wine that will continue to develop in the coming years.
About the Blue Series from Au Bon Climat
Blue Series wines are the wines they love to showcase and are most proud of. They are all made from the finest cuvées from impressive vineyards and feature 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 naturally carry these wines.
FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount . You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2034 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 91 |
| Vinous rating | 93 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 91
Reviewed by:
Matthew Luczy
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2033
A barrel selection of Santa Maria's Bien Nacdio, Solomon Hills and Runway Vineyards, the 2021 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander is dark, brooding and toasted on the nose. The palate straddles velvety richness with charming grace, finishing with oak-derived flavors that meld with balanced, fragrant fruits. While in a similar style to the Isabelle bottling, I preferred this due to its additional energy and lifted finish.
The passing of Jim Clendenen in 2021 was a seismic event in the Santa Barbara County wine world. Much of the region's international relevance and renown can be attributed directly to the success of Au Bon Climat, itself the product of Clendenen's unwavering exuberance and enthusiasm. Now a second-generation winery under the stewardship of Isabella and Knox Clendenen, winemaking operations are still overseen by General Manager Jim Adelman, as they have been for the past three decades. This consistency is clearly displayed in the latest releases, which continue the tradition of toasty, rich Chardonnays and pleasantly rustic Pinot Noirs, all of which see long élevages in large-format François Frères barrels.
Published: Oct 10, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Wine Spectator
No written review available.
Vinous
No written review available.
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
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!