Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir 2021

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Producer	Au Bon Climat
Country	United States
Region	Central Coast
Subregion	Santa Barbara
Varietal	Pinot Noir
Vintage	2021
Sku	28672
Size	750ml

 

Since 1982, Au Bon Climat winery has been devoted to making classic, Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. The convergence of cool, brisk Pacific air, marine-based soils, and east-west running valleys of the area provided an ideal place for growing exceptional grapes. Hence the name “Au Bon Climat,” the French idiom for “good place”. Forty years later, and the wines have earned a world-class reputation internationally.

Our first Pinot Noir release of the vintage, the 2021 Santa Barbara County, is a blend from 5 vineyards from two appellations. We blend wine from Bien Nacido (Santa Maria Valley), Le Bon Climat (SMV), Rancho La Cuna (SBC) Kick On (SBC), and Los Alamos (SBC). We still use François Frères French oak barrels (about 10% new) aging 10 months in barrel. The barrel aging gives the wine some depth complexity. All of our Pinot Noir goes into small barrel. Barrel work such as topping, emptying and cleaning is time consuming but is essential here at Au Bon Climat. The production on this wine has increased some, but it still takes time to make fine wine. 

The 2021 Pinot Noir crop ripened slowly and evenly. The result was a nose loaded with dark fruits. A smokey, plummy note is first noticed and then fresher strawberry, cherry/berry aromas slowly become evident. It has a deep ruby color that foretells a mouth-filling intensity. This is not a wine that will take time to express its potential; it is a rich and satisfying experience even at this young age.