AU BON CLIMAT - Pinot Noir - Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 2016
Au Bon Climat is located in California, United States. Owner-winemaker Jim Clendenen is one of the most famous personalities in the American wine industry. Graduated from the University of Law in Santa Barbara with first class honors in 1976, he subsequently spent a month in Burgundy and Champagne which convinced him to try a career in wine rather than pursue his studies in Law. In 1982, Clendenen decided, with Adam Tolmach, to create an estate dedicated to Burgundy grape varieties in rented premises. Adam left in 1990 to pursue his own career, leaving Jim alone in charge. Au Bon Climat sources its fruit from several of the Central Coast's most renowned wineries. These include Clendenen's own 'Le Bon Climat' vineyard and 'Bien Nacido' vineyard plantations - both in the Santa Maria Valley, as well as the Sanford & Benedict vineyard in Santa Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (county of Santa Barbara) and Talley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County.
Santa Barbara County's first “great” vineyard was planted by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict in 1971, first with Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, then later with Pinot Noir vines from Karl Wente. Burgundy varieties had found their place in Santa Barbara County. But it wasn't until 2001 that the Santa Rita Hills region, where the vineyard resides, was recognized for its distinctiveness and became a true American Viticultural Area (AVA). Located at the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley, its sea winds create a very cool vine growing climate where the classic Burgundy grape varieties, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, thrive.
After a meticulous harvest by hand early in the morning, the grapes arrive at the wine cellar very fresh. It allows cold soaking and slower fermentation, which permits better extraction of the aromas and flavours of the fruit. Half of the harvest was fermented in whole bunches to increase the intensity and the spicy notes of the grape variety. Once the grapes have reached dryness, they are pressed and the wine is put into new French oak barrels from François Frères. The wine was gently racked at the end of spring and was put back into barrels for a total of 22 months.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir