Synopsis, Our Opinion: An OUTSTANDING white blend.
Producer/Winery: Jim Clendenen, Au Bon Climat; Santa Maria, California.
Grape Variety: White blend – 55% Pinot Gris, 40% Pinot Blanc and 5% Aligoté.
Geographic Appellation, Region, Country: Santa Maria Valley; Central Coast, California.
Vintage: 2018
Price: $35.00 (with a club discount)
Purchased From: Au Bon Climat tasting room; Santa Barbara, California.
Paired With: Chicken Marsala.
Tasting:
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Chilled before drinking. Crystal clear oat straw color. Very nice robust oak, grassy and floral aromas with occasional hints of cinnamon. Smooth entry, slightly creamy and lively mouthfeel, medium body and a 200-grit texture. Tropical fruit, spicy pears and oaky flavors with a consistent lemon and apricot taste in the background. Crisp acidity and a long dry citrusy and spicy pear finish. This was an unusual blend that has the freshness of Pinot Gris and the lean, mineral taste and structure of Pinot Blanc and Aligoté. It was one of those wines we call a “sleeper” because it has lots of very excellent characteristics that you can’t quite put your finger on. It’s unusual to find this complexity in a white wine. We were surprised how well it paired with the chicken Marsala and thought it was an absolute delight sipping without food. In the end we called it an OUTSTANDING white blend.
Photo from Au Bon Climat.
See our reviews of other Au Bon Climat wines.
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Closure: Aluminum covered 50mm Natural cork.
UPC Code: 8 50755 00025 7
Imported by: Not applicable.