Always the top in its class and a great value, the Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir excels year after year because quality comes first in all that ABC do. The 2021 Pinot Noir crop ripened slowly and evenly. The result was a nose loaded with dark fruits. A smokey, plummy note is first noticed and then fresher strawberry and melons aromas slowly become evident. A deep ruby color, the wine looks great in the glass, and the flavors are a “knock out”. This is not a wine that will take time to express its potential; it is a rich and satisfying experience even at this young age.

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.

Au Bon Climat has been making Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County grapes since 1982, 23 years before Sideways. In the 1980s and 90s the product mix was at Au Bon Climat was 75% to 80% Chardonnay to 20% to 25% Pinot Noir. Chardonnay was king and people had not discovered the joys of Pinot Noir. All this began to change in the late 90s and now Au Bon Climat makes an equal amount of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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.