Ericsson

9.4

This isn’t your average Pinot Noir. No, this is the kind of wine that slinks into the room with quiet confidence, drops a sharp one-liner, and makes you question everything you thought you knew about wine. Unpretentious but impeccably crafted, with just the right amount of attitude. On the palate, the fruit—cherries, raspberries, and plums—is vibrant, alive, like it’s been plucked at the peak of its existence. But then comes the earth: a bit of cedar, a dash of spice, and that elusive minerality that makes you wonder if you’re drinking wine or walking through a misty vineyard at dawn.

The acidity? Razor-sharp but not overwhelming. It’s like the sarcastic friend who keeps you grounded. The tannins are there, smooth and silky.

And the finish? Long. Real long. Like the kind of story you hope never ends, full of fruit, spice, and a faint echo of oak. — 4 months ago

Daniel P. Drake

8.9

Last night I opened the 2017 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County, California. It has been a little bit since I have had an Au Bon Climat from Jim Clendenen. Jim's work is always spot on and well worth what you pay.

On the nose there is cranberry, strawberry, cherry, anise, clove, spice and a nice earthiness.

On the palate there is cranberry, strawberry, cherry, caramel, herbal notes, red currant, light oak and that nice earthiness.

This wine is light to medium bodied with medium to medium + acidity and medium fine tannins that lead into a medium to medium long fresh fruit finish. Continued health to everyone. Please be safe and continue social distancing. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

Roger Cabrera

9.0

Golden straw in the glass. The wine is youthful with aromas of ripe red apple, fresh sage, and sunflowers. Medium body with a semi-lucious lanolin quality, medium acidity. Lingering finish. Unfaulted wine of superior quality. — a year ago

Andrew Lohse

9.0

Fat and peachy — 3 years ago

Nathan Kinney

9.4

Big fan, eat with anything off the grill — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Partnership w/Jim Clendenen at Au Bon Climat. Barbara Barham & Richard Mendelsohn planted 5 acres of Pinot on Lala Panzi Ranch in the RRV. They had similar visions on Pinot’s & thus led to this partnership. Aged in predominately new Allier & Vosges wood. Aromas of berry fruits with dusty earthy nose. On the palate, berry flavors come forth with hints of tea & spice. Medium+ length, fine tannins, ending with earthy mushroom character, it was good, lost its luster, at its prime now! — 5 years ago

Roger Cabrera

9.0

Excellent freshness and complexity. Med+ acidity, med body, and wonderful tones of Bosc pear, white peaches, and the most subtle nuttiness. Confirmed on the palate. Clean finish with a corsage of white flowers. Drink now or hold for another three years. — a year ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

N: Lemons, ginger, banana peel, very fresh, like a just passed thunderstorms sun. You can smell the oak, but it’s like a ghost in the background.
P:Lemon custard, ever so light, creamy,tart, long finish, slight wood. He was really talented.
R.I.P. Jim Clendenen
If served this “ blind”, very few would peg it as a Cali Chard. A stylistic response to criticism of previous, over the top Chards.
With time and air, some flinty mineral goodness appears along with the sensation of citrus pith. — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

Fab new offering from Jim Clenenden. Almost clear in the glass belies fine acid and balance. 2018 vintage. — 5 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.2

Sour cherry with some ripeness, but good acidity and still relatively light on its feet. Medium body with some tannins — 5 years ago