2005 Au Bon Climat, Pinot Noir “Nielson Vineyard-Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection” Santa Maria Valley.
This newly released vintage gem from the Godfather of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir, Jim Clendenen is a stylish and aged wine that is at it’s best right now with mature flavors and beautiful texture. The famed winemaker, the Mind Behind, of Au Bon Climat is releasing a handful of Pinot Noirs from old vine sites he is calling “Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection” and I was lucky enough to sample a few, with this wonderful Nielson Vineyard wine coming out on top. I must say, I wasn’t much of a fan of this vineyard in the past, but now with some age lots of elegant flavors have emerged and I marveled at the beauty and grace of this Pinot Noir. The 2005 Au Bon Climat, Pinot Noir “Nielson Vineyard-Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection” Santa Maria Valley starts with strawberry jam, black tea spices, mineral essences and dried roses before leading to a silky mouth of red currant, cherry and dusty plum fruit while sweet herbs, anise and violets add to the complexities. There are notes of subtle wood, dried apricot and earthy porcini as well and the finish is long and remarkably fruit filled, but I still think you should buy this wine to drink as soon as possible as it is as good as it will get right now and totally enjoyable, a superb effort.
($54 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
