Region: California
Sub Region: Multi-vineyard California blend
Variety: Pinot Noir
Country: USA
Vintage: 2020
The Wine
Isabelle is Au Bon Climat’s flagship Pinot Noir and one of Jim Clendenen’s most personal wines, named after his daughter. Rather than representing one vineyard, it is assembled through a rigorous barrel selection from the finest Pinot Noir parcels available to the estate across six vineyards and four Californian appellations.
The concept is deliberately Burgundian: individual sites are fermented and matured separately before the most complete barrels are selected for the final blend. This allows Isabelle to combine the perfume and freshness of cooler vineyards with the depth and structure of warmer parcels.
The 2020 is dark and savoury for Pinot Noir, with black cherry, plum and dried red fruit joined by lavender, herbs, baking spice and forest-floor complexity. Extended élevage builds a supple texture while the wine’s fresh acidity and fine tannins prevent it from becoming heavy.
Cellared Says
Isabelle is the wine to buy when you want to understand Au Bon Climat beyond the regional bottlings. It is not intended as a transparent single-site study; it is a winemaker’s selection, bringing together the estate’s best barrels to create something deeper, more complete and built for the cellar. It is simply excellent and a personal recommendation.
Reviews
“Wild black plum roasted over sagebrush… salty charcuterie, quince jam and dried cherry.”
95 Points – Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
“Spiced red and black berry fruits, spring flowers, savoury herbs and baking spice.”
94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
Region: California
Sub Region: Multi-vineyard California blend
Variety: Pinot Noir
Country: USA
Vintage: 2020
The Wine
Isabelle is Au Bon Climat’s flagship Pinot Noir and one of Jim Clendenen’s most personal wines, named after his daughter. Rather than representing one vineyard, it is assembled through a rigorous barrel selection from the finest Pinot Noir parcels available to the estate across six vineyards and four Californian appellations.
The concept is deliberately Burgundian: individual sites are fermented and matured separately before the most complete barrels are selected for the final blend. This allows Isabelle to combine the perfume and freshness of cooler vineyards with the depth and structure of warmer parcels.
The 2020 is dark and savoury for Pinot Noir, with black cherry, plum and dried red fruit joined by lavender, herbs, baking spice and forest-floor complexity. Extended élevage builds a supple texture while the wine’s fresh acidity and fine tannins prevent it from becoming heavy.
Cellared Says
Isabelle is the wine to buy when you want to understand Au Bon Climat beyond the regional bottlings. It is not intended as a transparent single-site study; it is a winemaker’s selection, bringing together the estate’s best barrels to create something deeper, more complete and built for the cellar. It is simply excellent and a personal recommendation.
Reviews
“Wild black plum roasted over sagebrush… salty charcuterie, quince jam and dried cherry.”
95 Points – Matt Kettmann, Wine Enthusiast
“Spiced red and black berry fruits, spring flowers, savoury herbs and baking spice.”
94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
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