2023 Au Bon Climat - Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley (750ml)

Au Bon Climat was founded by the late Jim Clendenen, and today the winery sits in the Santa Maria Valley next door to Bien Nacido Vineyard. Bien Nacido has been at the heart of the winery's program since the early 1990s, and the relationship includes custom blocks and on-site production, giving the team unusual access to some of the region's finest fruit.

Bien Nacido was first planted in the early 1970s and is often called the crown jewel of the Santa Maria Valley. The valley is one of the coolest wine regions in California, and morning fog regularly shades the vines, which favors Pinot Noir with vibrant fruit and structure. This single-vineyard bottling belongs to Au Bon Climat's Historic Vineyards Collection, which highlights celebrated sites.

The 2023 opens with aromas of strawberry and dragonfruit, accented by brandy-soaked fruitcake. On the palate, cranberry and blackberry mingle with sage and black pepper, embodying the tension that defines great Pinot Noir. It is elegant yet bold, refined yet expressive, with a savory, herbal edge that sets this Santa Maria Valley wine apart.