Au Bon Climat, Pinot Gris / Pinot Blanc

Alcohol percentage: 13.5%

Organic

Area:
Au Bon Climat are based in the Bien Nacido vineyard in the heart of Santa Barbara County – the (relatively) cool climate area north of Los Angeles, where Burgundian and Rhone varieties predominate. Made famous by the film ‘Sideways’ which helped kickstart the trend away from heavy Chardonnays and Cabernets.
The Pinot Gris for this wine comes from the El Camino vineyard (near Los Alamos) and Sierra Madre Vineyard (in western Santa Maria Valley); the Pinot Blanc from Bien Nacido (where the winery is located).

Grape variety:
80% Pinot Gris, 20% Pinot Blanc; matured on its lees in older oak barrels for 6 months – but certainly no new wood used.

Producer:
Jim Clendenen was the self-styled ‘wild boy’ winemaker / owner of ABC. His hippy attitude was at least partly reflected in the very ‘natural’ style of his wines.

The Bottle Shop rating:
Lovely balance of freshness and ripeness. Really classy stuff – not expensive at all by California standards.

Please note the last day for guaranteed Christmas delivery is the 19th of December. After this date we unfortunately cannot guarantee that your order will arrive in time for Christmas.