Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir is a blend of Pinot Noir from six vineyards: Bien Nacido, Rancho Vinedo and Le Bon Climat which are all in the Santa Maria Valley, two vineyards in the Los Alamos Valley: Los Alamos Vineyard and Kick-On Vineyard, and one in the Santa Rita appellation: Pence Ranch. There is also 5% Mondeuse from Bien Nacido blended into this vintage. We kept most small lots of Pinot Noir separate for the first 6 months. Pinot Noir takes at least 6 months to reveal itself and until the wine can be effectively evaluated, we don’t blend, but the 2014 Pinots tasted delicious from the start.

Strawberries and raspberries aromas slowly climb out of the glass. Overtime more of the anise and clove will mix with these other aromas. Currently the wine is young with mouth filling intensity. Complexity will increase as the wine ages, but this wine should stay “youthful” for 6 or 7 years.

In its youth, match this wine with lamb or dried meats. After a few years as the flavors coalesce, it will pair better with Salmon or mild red sauce with pasta. The possible food pairings are almost endless.