Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir “Isabelle”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- “Isabelle” Pinot Noir is a blend of select cuvees of the top Pinot Noir vineyards not only from the Santa Maria area, but Russian River and even Monterey County some years.
- After the birth of his daughter in 1995, Jim Clendenen wanted to make a special wine for his daughter, Isabelle. Papa Jim blends the best barrels from at least six different vineyards. These vineyards range from five or six of the top vineyards from the Central Coast to a few in northern California.
- After identifying the finest lots, they go through the barrel selection process. This tasting process takes a few days, after the initial selection, and then the barrels are reevaluated a few months later just prior to putting “Isabelle” together.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: Hand pick and sorted heavily in the vineyard. Au Bon Climat uses open-top fermenters which are “punched down” by hand. Their top Pinot Noirs are never pumped only moved by gravity. Aged in new French Oak barrels
Tasting Notes: Isabelle is Au Bon Climat’s richest Pinot Noir with loads of intensity and power, it is still balanced and food friendly. It is a complete Pinot Noir with oak, tannin, alcohol, fruit and acid all brought together in one seamless statement.
PRESS
2020 – 94 Jeb Dunnuck | 92 Wine Advocate
2019 – 94 Jeb Dunnuck
2018 – 93 Vinous | 95 Jeb Dunnuck
2016 – 93 Wine Spectator | 94+ Jeb Dunnuck | 96 Vinous
2015 – 93 Wine Spectator | 94 Vinous | 94 Wine Enthusiast “Cellar Selection”
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Beginning with the 1978 harvest, Jim Clendenen was assistant winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery for three vintages, a valued training experience. In 1981 his vision broadened with three harvests in one year as Jim worked crush and directed the harvest at wineries in Australia and France. Three harvests in one year confirmed his masochistic tendencies.In 1982, Clendenen decided, along with Adam Tolmach, to start a winery dedicated to Burgundian varietals. Adam left in 1990 to pursue his own efforts leaving Jim solo at the helm.
Au Bon Climat (which means “a well exposed vineyard”) sources fruit from several of the most highly regarded vineyards in the Central Coast. These include Clendenen’s own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and estate plantings at the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard – both in Santa Maria Valley, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County), and San Luis Obispo County’s Talley Vineyard.The winery has cultivated an international reputation for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for his classically styled wines.