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2015 Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir

6 available
Minimum Bid Per Bottle is $60
Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

ITEM 10328914 - Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased at retail

Bidder Quantity Amount Total
6 $60
2015 Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir

RATINGS

95Jeb Dunnuck

...complex, layered style in its mulberry, cherry, spice box, flowers, and forest floor notes. Just gorgeous on the palate as well, with perfect balance, no hard edges, and a seamless texture, it has fine, integrated tannins and a great finish.

94Vinous / IWC

...flashy and ripe... Time in the glass brings out the wine's depth and substance, both of which carry through to the resonant, expressive finish.

94Wine Enthusiast

Concentrated aromas of mulberry, exotic red cherry, crushed rose petals, crushed slate, tarragon and sandalwood... Clean flavors of raspberry and red currant are lifted by dried herbs and tea spice on the palate...

93Wine Spectator

Refined and elegant, with sandalwood notes to the cherry, dried berry and plum flavors. Cedar and spice accents fill the long, luxurious finish, caressing the palate with silky tannins.

90The Wine Advocate

...reveals pretty aromas of raspberries, herbs, rose hip and orange rind, framed by spicy new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and succulent, with an ample chassis of tannin and a lingering, savory finish.

16.5+ Jancis Robinson

...succulent red fruits and cured meats on the nose. Bright acids and soft tannins. Sumptuous but serious, finely etched red and black fruits with a hint of liquorice and cinnamon. The fruit gains a savoury, lightly meaty edge on the long finish. Moreish.

PRODUCER

Au Bon Climat

Au Bon Climat was founded in 1982 by winemaker Jim Clendenen. The name means “well-exposed vineyard” and the winery is on the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. Clendenen developed a taste for wine and winemaking during a college year abroad in the 1970s. He worked at wineries in California, France and Australia before starting Au Bon Climat with his former business partner Adam Toimach. The winery owns 100 acres and also sources grapes from other Central Coast vineyards. Clendenen is widely admired for his Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, though he has also branched into Italian style blends.

REGION

United States, California, South Coast, Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.

TYPE

Red Wine, Pinot Noir

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.