Reviews & Ratings

2022 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir "Santa Barbara"

Winery: Au Bon Climat

Vintage: 2022

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Santa Barbara"

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: May 24, 2024

Wine Review: This dark red colored Pinot Noir from Au Bon Climat is a very good entry level offering. It opens with a black raspberry, black cherry, and oak bouquet with hints of mocha and loam. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with plus acidity. The mouthfeel is smooth, fresh, and very bright. The flavor profile is a tasty spiced red plum and black raspberry blend with notes of red licorice and black tea. I also detected some hints of black pepper and loam. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity and moderate tannins are nicely extended. This Pinot Noir would pair well with cherry amaretto chicken. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: 2022 is our 40th vintage - Happy Birthday to us! This wine is a deeply colored, fruit forward Pinot with strawberry and blackberry aromas slowly rise out of the glass. Over time, more of the anise and clove will mix with these other aromas. The abundance of fruit continues on the palate showing plum, dark cherry, and cranberry with nuances of black licorice, tea and clove. It is a powerful Pinot at a great price point. 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.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Au Bon Climat 2022 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir.