2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir La Bauge Au-dessus

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.