2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2023 - 2032 |
In stock
37 items available
Description
Au Bon Climat's tagline is "An homage to the wines of Burgundy" and that sums it up nicely. It's hard to talk about Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir without mentioning Alexander Payne's film "Sideways." The film came at just the right time, when Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir was already gaining popularity.
The Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus has a complex, classic taste reminiscent of an old world style. Aromas of dried cherry and cranberry, rose petals and cedar wood are complemented by subtle notes of leather and dark chocolate. These nuances evoke associations with a mature Burgundy from a top estate. The hallmark of "La Bauge" is the exceptional integration of flavors and its immediately accessible, drinkable character, which this wine offers in abundance. This wine is perfect with oak-grilled lamb chops, truffle potatoes, smoked turkey or a hearty stew.
The grapes come entirely from the renowned Bien Nacido Vineyard . They were harvested by hand and the Pinot Noir was fermented in 5-ton open fermentation vats. During the fermentation process, the grape skins were manually immersed (punch-downs) once or twice a day to obtain maximum extraction of color, flavor and aroma. After complete fermentation, the wine was dry pressed and transferred to barrels, along with a moderate amount of lees.
The "La Bauge" Pinot Noir was matured in 50% new French oak barrels, made by the cooper François Frères. The wine was carefully racked in the spring and then re-barreled. The total maturation period in oak was 20 months.
Background
The name "La Bauge Au-dessus" means "a wild party night up there". The original bottlings came from the hills of the Bien Nacido vineyard, and with this vintage the wine returns to those roots. The aim of this wine is to create a classic Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley, with a striking aromatic and characterful profile. You will find notes of cherry and cranberry, rose petals, earthy influences and spices.
The key word is balance : a balance between oak and fruit, tannins and acidity, elegance and intensity. This delicious Pinot Noir is not meant to dominate the meal, but to enhance the dining experience and to combine harmoniously with the dish it is served with.
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.
Specifications
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Central Coast |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Vinous rating | 91 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Rood fruit, Soepel, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Vinous
91
Drinking Window
2022 - 2032
From: Santa Barbara: A Rare Bright Spot for California in 2020 (Aug 2022)
The 2020 Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus is mostly Bien Nacido with a touch of Le Bon Climat, done with 20% stems. Savory herbs, crushed red berry fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint, dried flowers and incense give this ethereal, elegant Pinot plenty of charm and allure. Drink it over the next decade.
- By Antonio Galloni on June 2022
This is a fabulous set of wines from Au Bon Climat. I admit, it’s hard today to taste wines Jim Clendenen made prior his passing last year. At the same time, these new releases provide fascinating insight into his stylistic choices across several vineyards and sites.
I have said this before, but I think it bears repeating. It's fascinating to taste the Au Bon Climat wines given how much Clendenen influenced many of today's leading young winemakers. Pretty much without exception, Clendenen's wines, especially the Chardonnays, are richer and more powerful, with greater oak influence and overall lushness. In general, the wines here are marked by a focus on a handful of top sites, many of which Clendenen made famous, a high percentage of new oak, but often with larger 350-liter barrels, long aging in wood, and a high amount of whole clusters in the Pinots. More than anything else, these wines are American treasures, legacies of one of this country's most inspired and inspiring winemakers.
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Au Bon Climat
Au Bon Climat is known for its refined wines from Santa Barbara County.
The history of Au Bon Climat
Au Bon Climat was founded in 1982 with a clear mission: to produce classic, Burgundy-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. The region is ideal thanks to the influence of the cool Pacific air, marine soils, and the east–west oriented valleys.
Jim Clendenen, also known as “The Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, set this vision and always stayed true to it. While trends in California came and went, Au Bon Climat continued to focus on traditional, site-specific, and nuanced wines.
Location and climate of Santa Barbara County
The location of Santa Barbara County creates a unique microclimate with a combination of warm days and cool nights. This allows grapes to ripen slowly and develop deep, complex flavors. Vineyards such as Bien Nacido, Le Bon Climat, and Rancho La Cuna are among the most renowned in the region.
The different wines of Au Bon Climat
The winery has gained international fame with its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. By combining traditional methods such as whole cluster pressing, aging in French oak barrels, and extended barrel maturation, the wines achieve exceptional balance and elegance.
The vineyards of Au Bon Climat
Au Bon Climat sources grapes from several prestigious vineyards, including:
- Bien Nacido Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley): 900 acres, calcareous clay soil, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Le Bon Climat Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley): 52 acres, sandy loam soil, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier.
- Rancho La Cuna (Santa Barbara County): 20 acres, sandy loam and shale clay, Syrah, Grenache, Chenin Blanc.
- Sanford & Benedict (Sta. Rita Hills): 51 acres, calcareous clay soil, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Talley Vineyards (Arroyo Grande Valley): 28 acres, shale clay soil, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Why choose wines from Au Bon Climat?
These wines are praised worldwide for their balance, structure, and long aging potential. Jim Clendenen’s legacy lives on through the high quality and dedication to traditional winemaking techniques.
Order Au Bon Climat wines online?
You can of course buy Au Bon Climat wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine merchant with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium. Our wines are stored in a climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and when you choose to pick up your order, you often receive a nice discount. The discount is shown immediately when you select ‘Pick up’ on the checkout page.
Au Bon Climat's tagline is "An homage to the wines of Burgundy" and that sums it up nicely. It's hard to talk about Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir without mentioning Alexander Payne's film "Sideways." The film came at just the right time, when Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir was already gaining popularity.
The Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus has a complex, classic taste reminiscent of an old world style. Aromas of dried cherry and cranberry, rose petals and cedar wood are complemented by subtle notes of leather and dark chocolate. These nuances evoke associations with a mature Burgundy from a top estate. The hallmark of "La Bauge" is the exceptional integration of flavors and its immediately accessible, drinkable character, which this wine offers in abundance. This wine is perfect with oak-grilled lamb chops, truffle potatoes, smoked turkey or a hearty stew.
The grapes come entirely from the renowned Bien Nacido Vineyard . They were harvested by hand and the Pinot Noir was fermented in 5-ton open fermentation vats. During the fermentation process, the grape skins were manually immersed (punch-downs) once or twice a day to obtain maximum extraction of color, flavor and aroma. After complete fermentation, the wine was dry pressed and transferred to barrels, along with a moderate amount of lees.
The "La Bauge" Pinot Noir was matured in 50% new French oak barrels, made by the cooper François Frères. The wine was carefully racked in the spring and then re-barreled. The total maturation period in oak was 20 months.
Background
The name "La Bauge Au-dessus" means "a wild party night up there". The original bottlings came from the hills of the Bien Nacido vineyard, and with this vintage the wine returns to those roots. The aim of this wine is to create a classic Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley, with a striking aromatic and characterful profile. You will find notes of cherry and cranberry, rose petals, earthy influences and spices.
The key word is balance : a balance between oak and fruit, tannins and acidity, elegance and intensity. This delicious Pinot Noir is not meant to dominate the meal, but to enhance the dining experience and to combine harmoniously with the dish it is served with.
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.
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Central Coast |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Vinous rating | 91 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Rood fruit, Soepel, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Lekker luxe, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Vinous
91
Drinking Window
2022 - 2032
From: Santa Barbara: A Rare Bright Spot for California in 2020 (Aug 2022)
The 2020 Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus is mostly Bien Nacido with a touch of Le Bon Climat, done with 20% stems. Savory herbs, crushed red berry fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint, dried flowers and incense give this ethereal, elegant Pinot plenty of charm and allure. Drink it over the next decade.
- By Antonio Galloni on June 2022
This is a fabulous set of wines from Au Bon Climat. I admit, it’s hard today to taste wines Jim Clendenen made prior his passing last year. At the same time, these new releases provide fascinating insight into his stylistic choices across several vineyards and sites.
I have said this before, but I think it bears repeating. It's fascinating to taste the Au Bon Climat wines given how much Clendenen influenced many of today's leading young winemakers. Pretty much without exception, Clendenen's wines, especially the Chardonnays, are richer and more powerful, with greater oak influence and overall lushness. In general, the wines here are marked by a focus on a handful of top sites, many of which Clendenen made famous, a high percentage of new oak, but often with larger 350-liter barrels, long aging in wood, and a high amount of whole clusters in the Pinots. More than anything else, these wines are American treasures, legacies of one of this country's most inspired and inspiring winemakers.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Au Bon Climat
Au Bon Climat is known for its refined wines from Santa Barbara County.
The history of Au Bon Climat
Au Bon Climat was founded in 1982 with a clear mission: to produce classic, Burgundy-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. The region is ideal thanks to the influence of the cool Pacific air, marine soils, and the east–west oriented valleys.
Jim Clendenen, also known as “The Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, set this vision and always stayed true to it. While trends in California came and went, Au Bon Climat continued to focus on traditional, site-specific, and nuanced wines.
Location and climate of Santa Barbara County
The location of Santa Barbara County creates a unique microclimate with a combination of warm days and cool nights. This allows grapes to ripen slowly and develop deep, complex flavors. Vineyards such as Bien Nacido, Le Bon Climat, and Rancho La Cuna are among the most renowned in the region.
The different wines of Au Bon Climat
The winery has gained international fame with its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. By combining traditional methods such as whole cluster pressing, aging in French oak barrels, and extended barrel maturation, the wines achieve exceptional balance and elegance.
The vineyards of Au Bon Climat
Au Bon Climat sources grapes from several prestigious vineyards, including:
- Bien Nacido Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley): 900 acres, calcareous clay soil, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Le Bon Climat Vineyard (Santa Maria Valley): 52 acres, sandy loam soil, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier.
- Rancho La Cuna (Santa Barbara County): 20 acres, sandy loam and shale clay, Syrah, Grenache, Chenin Blanc.
- Sanford & Benedict (Sta. Rita Hills): 51 acres, calcareous clay soil, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Talley Vineyards (Arroyo Grande Valley): 28 acres, shale clay soil, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Why choose wines from Au Bon Climat?
These wines are praised worldwide for their balance, structure, and long aging potential. Jim Clendenen’s legacy lives on through the high quality and dedication to traditional winemaking techniques.
Order Au Bon Climat wines online?
You can of course buy Au Bon Climat wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine merchant with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium. Our wines are stored in a climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and when you choose to pick up your order, you often receive a nice discount. The discount is shown immediately when you select ‘Pick up’ on the checkout page.
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