The 2023 vintage of Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir is a quintessential expression of Santa Barbara County, showcasing vibrant aromas of red currant, blueberry, and blood orange, with earthy undertones of bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone. On the palate, it offers a balanced structure with the perfect harmony of tannins and acidity. This handcrafted blend comes from premier vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley and surrounding areas, aged in French oak for 8-12 months to develop depth and complexity. A versatile wine that pairs beautifully with lamb, lighter meats, or even spicy dishes, it's a true food wine, evolving in complexity as it ages.

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Tasting Notes
This wine is a trademark of pinot's coming from Santa Barbara County with classic fruit aromas followed by an earthy depth. Aromas of red currant, blueberry, and blood orange greet the nose, followed by subtle hints of bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone. The palate is well-balanced, with just the right amount of tannin and acid, resulting in superb structure and a delightful mouthfeel.

Winemaker Notes
This wine is a handcrafted blend from premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The majority of the blend comes from the Santa Maria Valley, featuring Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real vineyards, with a small percentage sourced from Kick On and Los Alamos Vineyard in the Los Alamos area. Our winemaking process has remained consistent for 40 years, focusing on traditional, time-proven techniques. We hand harvest, ferment in small lots, perform daily manual punch downs, and age in François Frères French oak barrels for 8-12 months. This small barrel aging imparts depth and complexity to our Pinot Noir. 

Wine Specifics
Harvested: multiple pickings throughout September 2023
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.63
Acidity: 5.4 g/L
Sugars: 0
The Backstory
It's hard to talk about Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir without mentioning the Alexander Payne movie 'Sideways.' The film's release came at the perfect time, as Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir was already rising to prominence. A new generation of vineyard managers had begun implementing necessary improvements in their vineyards and winemakers were getting more acquainted with how to treat local Pinot Noir. The combination of improved grapes, better winemaking, and the film's popularity led to a surge in the popularity of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. Even two decades after the movie's 2004 release, its influence is still felt. Au Bon Climat has been leading the way, producing Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County grapes since 1982, well before 'Sideways.' 
This wine is a trademark of pinot's coming from Santa Barbara County with classic fruit aromas followed by an earthy depth. Aromas of red currant, blueberry, and blood orange greet the nose, followed by subtle hints of bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone. The palate is well-balanced, with just the right amount of tannin and acid, resulting in superb structure and a delightful mouthfeel. Like all Au Bon Climat wines, this is a food wine. In its youth, match this wine with lamb or lighter meats. After a few years, as the flavors coalesce, it will pair better with salmon or mild red sauce with pasta. We have enjoyed this wine with many food choices from spicy Indian dishes to all-American sandwiches, and the wine worked well with most anything. The possible food pairings are almost endless.