Synopsis, Our Opinion: Unique, a great value and nothing short of OUTSTANDING.
Producer/Winery: Jim, Isabelle and Knox Clendenen; Clendenen Family Vineyards; Au Bon Climat; Santa Maria, California.
Grape Variety: Grenache Gris.
Geographic Appellation,, Region, Country: Rancho La Cuna; Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California.
Vintage: 2018
Price: $14.40 (with a club discount)
Purchased From: Au Bon Climat tasting room, Santa Barbara, California.
Paired With: Za’atar chicken, brown rice and squash from the garden.
Tasting:
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Chilled before drinking. Clear, wheat straw color with just a hint of pink tint. Quite aromatic citrus, melon, apricot, peach and fresh cut pine aromas. Smooth entry, lively, a tad oily and uniquely spicy mouthfeel, medium body and a 150-grit texture. Pear, lemon, Florida grapefruit and apricot flavors with a persistent mineral or stainless steel background. Nice crisp acidity and a long bitter finish that had lots of staying power. This was a real WOW, WOW wine and this may be the first time we have ever had a Grenache Gris varietal. It was a superb pairing with the chicken and we were really taken with it sipping with out food. We called it unique, a great value and nothing short of OUTSTANDING.

The Au Bon Climat team
Photo from au bon climat.
See our reviews of other Jim Clendened and Au Bon Clamat wines.
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Closure: Aluminum covered 45mm Natural cork.
UPC Code: 8 57835 00341 2
Imported by: Not applicable.