About Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir
- Price Range
- $25-35
- US retail; reference conversion, not an official JP price
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
Au Bon Climat's entry-tier, flagship Pinot Noir is a handcrafted blend from premier Santa Maria Valley sites — chiefly Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real — with smaller portions from Kick On and Los Alamos vineyards. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented in small open-top lots with daily manual punch-downs, then aged 8-12 months in François Frères French oak. The result is a cool-climate, Burgundian-leaning Pinot Noir with red currant, blueberry, and blood orange aromas, subtle bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone notes, balanced acidity, and a silky, well-structured palate at a moderate 13.5% ABV.
More Burgundian than northern Californian — lean, savory, and structured rather than fruit-forward, this is Pinot Noir for people who actually like Pinot Noir.
New to wine?
A lean, Burgundian-style entry point into Au Bon Climat's Pinot Noir range.
Food Pairings
Young vintages pair well with lamb or lighter roasted meats; with a few years of age it flatters salmon or pasta in a mild red sauce. Also enjoyable with oak-grilled burgers or mildly spiced Indian dishes.
When to drink it
Casual dinners, introducing friends to cool-climate California Pinot Noir
Terroir & Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes from Bien Nacido, North Canyon, Rancho Real, Kick On, and Los Alamos vineyards. Fermented in small open-top lots with daily manual punch-downs; aged 8-12 months in François Frères French oak.
About the producer
Au Bon ClimatThe benchmark for elegant, Burgundian-style California wines.Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County taste like?
- Red currant, blueberry, and blood orange aromas with subtle bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone notes; the palate is bright, well-balanced, with soft tannins and a silky, structured finish.
- Is this Pinot Noir light or full-bodied?
- It is a lean, cool-climate style — closer to Burgundy than to riper northern California Pinot Noir — with moderate alcohol (13.5% ABV) and vibrant acidity rather than heavy fruit weight.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- Young vintages suit lamb or lighter roasted meats; with age it pairs beautifully with salmon or pasta in a mild red sauce, and also works with oak-grilled burgers or mildly spiced dishes.
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