Au Bon Climat Nielson Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 I took a recent trip out to CA, and in particular to taste some of the wines in Santa Barbara County. My next several posts will be some notes from my trip. My first stop was Au Bon Climat. Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat since 1982, creates internationally acclaimed Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. Jim has other projects of passion that allow him to make artisan, small lots of distinctive wines from a wider spectrum of grape varietals under different brands. Jim Clendenen was born in Akron, Ohio in the 1950s. He graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara,…
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Fess Parker 2013 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir Family run winery established in 1989 by the late Fess Parker. Fess is best known for his portrayal of the frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone during the 1950’s and 1960’s and made him a legion among millions of adoring fans. Fess Parker was originally from Texas, attended the University of Texas and did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy during WWII and moved to California in the 1950’s and began acting. After his acting career was winding down, Fess, in 1986, opened a resort hotel in Santa Barbara on 23 ocean front acres. In 1989 Fess’ next adventure lured…
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Andrew Murray 2012 Santa Ynez Valley Watch Hill Syrah Andrew Murray fell in love with the emerging Rhône varieties, Syrah and Viognier, in the late 1980’s while traveling through France’s Rhône Valley. Leaving his UC Berkeley paleontology studies behind, he pursued his new mistress, Syrah, with an internship in Australia. His three-month tryst evolved into a 15-month romance with the famed Australian Shiraz. Returning to the states, he earned a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis’ renowned wine program, then founded his eponymous Santa Ynez winery and vineyard. Deep Ruby, almost inky, with concentrated aromas of dark fruit. The wine explodes with red fruit on the palate. …
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Byron 2011 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley In 1984 Ken Brown founded Byron, with a plan to produce spectacular Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County. The good news at that time was that Chardonnay produced on Santa Barbara had established a solid reputation for its tropical, buttery offerings. The Santa Maria Bench – Byron’s home – is less than 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean allowing for cool ocean air to sweep through. Note: Bench is a geographical term meaning the shoulder of a mountain. It’s that part of the hillside where the steep incline begins its rise, and in Byron’s case, roughly 500 – 800 feet above sea…