Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2023

This wine is a trademark of Pinots coming from Santa Barbara County, with classic fruit aromas followed by an earthy depth. Aromas of red currant, blueberry, and blood orange greet the nose, followed by subtle hints of bay leaf, white pepper and wet stone. The palate is well-balanced, with just the right amount of tannin and acid, resulting in superb structure and a delightful mouthfeel.

A handcrafted blend from premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County, the majority of the blend comes from the Santa Maria Valley, featuring Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real vineyards, with a small percentage sourced from Kick On and Los Alamos Vineyard in the Los Alamos area. Au Bon Climat's winemaking process has remained consistent for 40 years, focusing on traditional, time-proven techniques. They hand harvest, ferment in small lots, perform daily manual punch downs and age in François Frères French oak barrels for 8-12 months. This small barrel aging imparts depth and complexity to the Pinot Noir. 

It's hard to talk about Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir without mentioning the Alexander Payne movie "Sideways." The film's release came at the perfect time, as Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir was already rising to prominence. A new generation of vineyard managers had begun implementing necessary improvements in their vineyards and winemakers were getting more acquainted with how to treat local Pinot Noir. The combination of improved grapes, better winemaking, and the film's popularity led to a surge in the popularity of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. Even two decades after the movie's 2004 release, its influence is still felt. Au Bon Climat has been leading the way, producing Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County grapes since 1982, well before "Sideways."