Reviews & Ratings

2021 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir "Santa Barbara Country"

Winery: Au Bon Climat

Vintage: 2021

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: July 19, 2023

Wine Review: This very dark red colored Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara Country opens with a raspberry and oak bouquet with hints of red currant and clove. On the palate, this wine is medium minus bodied with medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, smooth and savory. The flavor profile is a tangy red raspberry and oak blend with notes of clove, spiced black plum and black tea. I also detected hints of black pepper and cinnamon. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity and moderate tannins stick around for a while. I would pair this Pinot with your favorite grilled pork tenderloin recipe. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: Strawberry and blackberry aromas slowly rise out of the glass. 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 2021 Santa Barbara Country Pinot Noir.