Reviews & Ratings

2018 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir "Santa Barbara Country"

Winery: Au Bon Climat

Vintage: 2018

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Santa Barbara Country"

Wine Category: Pinot Noir

Grape blend: 100% Pinot Noir

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Santa Barbara County

State or country: CA

Price: $24

Cases produced: unknown

KWG Score: 90 (based on 1 review)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: November 27, 2020

Wine Review: This dark red colored entry level Pinot Noir from Au Bon Climat is very good. It opens with an inviting blueberry, red plum and clove bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and savory. The flavor profile is a tasty strawberry and red plum blend with notes of gentle oak and earthy minerality. I also detected hints of clove and oolong tea. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins are friendly. This is a versatile and good value Pinot Noir. I would pair this Pinot with Coq au vin. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: It is deeply colored with aromas and flavors of strawberries and raspberries joined by anise and clove in mouth filling intensity. Over time, more of the anise and clove will mix with these other aromas. Currently, the wine is young with mouth filling intensity and suppleness. Complexity will increase as the wine ages, but this wine should stay "fresh" for 6 or 7 years. Like all Au Bon Climat wines, this is a food wine. In its youth, match this wine with lamb or dried meats. After a few years, as the flavors coalesce, it will pair better with salmon or mild red sauce with pasta.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Au Bon Climat 2018 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir.