January 25, 2012
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Au Bon Climat
| Owner(s) | Jim Clendenen |
| Web site | www.aubonclimat.com |
| Link to this site |
The mind behind, Jim Clendenen, is a California original whose long hair, cooking skills, bigger-than-life personality and wines are legendary. As a pre-law student he developed an interest in wine and learned winemaking under Ken Brown at Zaca Mesa Winery, later partnering with Adam Tolmach and Bob Lindquist. He also was influenced by Burgundy after spending time in 1981 at Domaine des Comte Lafon and Maison Nicolas Potel. He founded Au Bon Climat in 1982.
His winery is at Bien Nacido Vineyard (no tasting room at the winery). 68 acres are owned, 100 acres are leased or controlled. Viticulturist is Jim Frey and Chris Hammell (Bien Niacido).
Besides Au Bon Climat, multiple brands are produced including Cold Heaven, Ici/La-Bas, ll Podere Dell' Olivos, and Vita Nova. The Pinot Noirs, which are sourced from many of Central California's most prized vineyards (Sanford & Benedict, Nielsen, Los Alamos, Sierra Madre, Le Bon Climat and Bien Nacido) are highly lauded for their restraint. Annual production is 40,000 cases of primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, of which 20% is estate grown. 805-937-9801.
Articles About Au Bon Climat
Reviewed Wines
2009 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19.
·
Lightly colored in the glass. Very appealing in the glass with bright aromas of
strawberries, red cherries, spice and sandalwood. Moderately light in weight with
crisp and refreshing flavors of red cherries and a very slight confected tone. Silky
with slippery tannins and well-integrated oak notes in the background. A modest
but spirited daily drinker that will work beautifully at the dinner table. Very Good.
Reviewed August 13, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $20. 76% Pinot Noir, 24% Mondeuse.
·
Darkly fruited nose with a touch of chocolate fudge, barnyard and hay. Juicy nondescript dark fruit with a hint
of pepper, char and tea flavors. Nicely crafted with decent acidity for the table, but veers away from the typical
Pinot Noir flavor profile.
Reviewed November 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2004 Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-dessus Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30. From the
highest planting in the Bien Nacido Vineyard.
·
Intoxicating nose of fresh crushed cherries. Cherries and
cranberry flavors are set off by herbal notes. The texture is soft. Nothing earthshaking, but perfectly fine.
Reviewed August 24, 2007
ARTICLE »
2004 Au Bon Climat Le Bon Climat Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $35. From the Clendenen
Le Bon Climat Vineyard.
·
Red fruits in the aromas are joined by significant oak. Cherry rhubarb
flavors are underlain with earth and herbal touches. A decent Pinot Noir.
Reviewed August 24, 2007
ARTICLE »
2009 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $19. · Lightly colored in the glass. Very appealing in the glass with bright aromas of strawberries, red cherries, spice and sandalwood. Moderately light in weight with crisp and refreshing flavors of red cherries and a very slight confected tone. Silky with slippery tannins and well-integrated oak notes in the background. A modest but spirited daily drinker that will work beautifully at the dinner table. Very Good. Reviewed August 13, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $20. 76% Pinot Noir, 24% Mondeuse. · Darkly fruited nose with a touch of chocolate fudge, barnyard and hay. Juicy nondescript dark fruit with a hint of pepper, char and tea flavors. Nicely crafted with decent acidity for the table, but veers away from the typical Pinot Noir flavor profile. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2004 Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-dessus Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30. From the highest planting in the Bien Nacido Vineyard. · Intoxicating nose of fresh crushed cherries. Cherries and cranberry flavors are set off by herbal notes. The texture is soft. Nothing earthshaking, but perfectly fine. Reviewed August 24, 2007 ARTICLE »
2004 Au Bon Climat Le Bon Climat Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $35. From the Clendenen Le Bon Climat Vineyard. · Red fruits in the aromas are joined by significant oak. Cherry rhubarb flavors are underlain with earth and herbal touches. A decent Pinot Noir. Reviewed August 24, 2007 ARTICLE »
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