2016 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir - Au Bon Climat

Plump red cherry, crushed shells, pomegranate clusters. Raspberry funk, dried leaves, rhubarb pie. Sea spray and earthy spice, red licorice and a candy apple glaze. Bright silky red fruit shines over white mushroom doused with soy sauce and brine. Like standing on the bow of a seafaring yacht, arms to the wind, as wind and waves tickle your cheeks and sweet fruit fills the air. This 2016 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir by Au Bon Climat is an edge-of-your-seat splash to the face of yum.

In 1976 Jim Clendenten skipped out on law school to pursue a career in wine. After cutting his teeth at Zaca Mesa Winery in Santa Barbara and working harvests in Australia and France, Jim decided to start his own project with his friend Adam Tolmach. In 1982 Au Bon Climat was born with the intention of crafting Burgundian styled wines in the cool coastal hillsides of Santa Barbara County. For over 35 years Au Bon Climat has been producing some of the most deliciously drinkable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California and beyond. Fiercely resisting the trends of overripening and over-oaking, the wines of ABC are classically styled with a distinct and delicious Coastal California twist. If we could suggest one producer in Santa Barbara County that every wine lover must try it might just have to be Au Bon Climat.