Au Contraire

Au Bon Climat

La Bauge Au-Dessus Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2019

Quite light ruby , with a wide ruby garnet rim. Quite sweet red fruit at first with some raspberry , strawberry and red cherry notes , dried flowers as well , rose , violet and an earthy note . Quite elegant and precise . On the palate this is again elegant and restrained , very pretty red fruits , juicy but still fresh acidity . Light tannins balanced alcohol . Cherry , raspberry and wild strawberry . Herbal tinged , slightly earthy finish . Drinking very well now and will continue to do so over the next 3-5 years or so — 8 days ago

Bob, Scott@Mister and 5 others liked this

Domaine Drouhin-Laroze

Au Closeau Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2006

Exceptionnel. Surprised it could be so good at that age. Well balanced. — a month ago

Charlie liked this

Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey

Au Bout du Monde Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Chardonnay 2022

Meyer lemon, almond oil, crushed shells, citric acidity. — 9 days ago

Severn, Ron and 3 others liked this
Adriana Fabbro

Adriana Fabbro

The “entry level” PYCM 22s are so approachable & lovely right now.

Au Bon Climat

Hildegard Estate Bottled Santa Maria Valley White Blend 2018

Lemon, grapefruit, spices, cream. Oaky but well balanced with electric acidity. — a month ago

Tom liked this

Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2022

Wow this is a great example of Santa Barbara Chardonnay. Some wood in the nose next to moderate tones of tropical fruit. In the mouth it has a slight salty tone. Paired beautifully with 60 months old Parmezan cheese. — 2 months ago

Peter, Shay and 4 others liked this

Peter Michael Winery

Au Paradis Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2013 “Au Paradis” pours a deep ruby with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, developing the wine is developing with notes of brambles, plums, tobacco, some leather and woody notes, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is pretty plush. To my palate, pretty much a fastball right down the middle of the plate and not quite as intriguing as the “Les Pavots” from the same vintage. Drink now with some patience and through 2038. — 4 months ago

Andrew, Peter and 10 others liked this

Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2014

2014 drunk in 2024. I kept a bottle of this $14(!!) wine—2015 price—for 8 years on a hunch that it would hold up, and it did. I don’t know what it costs now, but back then it was head and shoulders the best American supermarket wine. — 20 days ago

Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay 2005

Stunningly complex, mesmerising and fantastic.
Full of tertiary notes: Figs, hazelnuts, stemmed ginger, dried lemon peel, honey. Loads of caramel, baking spices, vanilla and tonka beans. Quite oxidative almost sherry like. Super bright acidity, wonderful balance and structure, a super lush and creamy finish.
— a month ago