2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

It's hard to mention Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir without bringing up the Alexander Payne movie Sideways. The release of the film couldn't have come at a better time. Prior to Sideways, Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir was on its way to stardom. A new generation of vineyard managers had come on the scene and many understood what needed to be done in the vineyard to improve Pinot Noir and winemakers got a better idea of ​​how to handle Pinot Noir in the winery. The convergence of better grapes, better winemaking and a very popular and entertaining movie led to an explosion in the popularity of Pinot Noir and especially Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. Although the film was a 2004 release, the effects are still there and this has led to a more terroir driven wine for both pinot noir and chardonnay in which winemaker Jim Clendenen has made world fame through his work on terroir. -identification in California, for the planting of pinot noir and chardonnay. The man carried out groundbreaking historical research into Burgundy from the 'pre-chardonnay' era, when white Bourgognes were made from pinot gris, pinot blanc and aligoté. His wines are an ode to minerals, have an exceptional depth and are of an absolute world class.

Au Bon Climat has been making the Pinot Noir of Santa Barbara County grapes since 1982, 23 years for Sideways. In the 1980s and 1990s, the product mix at Au Bon Climat was 75% to 80% Chardonnay to 20% to 25% Pinot Noir. Chardonnay was king and the people hadn't discovered the joys of Pinot Noir. This all started to change in the late 90s and now Au Bon Climat makes as much Pinot Noir as Chardonnay.

The aromas of strawberries and blackberries slowly emerge from the glass. Over time, more anise and cloves will mingle with these other aromas. In its early years the wine is juicy, mouth-filling and smooth but the complexity will increase as the wine ages. In its youth, combine this wine with lamb or dried meat. After a few years, as the flavors meld, it will pair better with salmon or mild red sauce with pasta or spicy Indian dishes.