AU BON CLIMAT 2019 “Knox Alexander” Pinot Noir
Santa Maria Valley, California
*This cuvee is named for Jim Clendenen’s son, Knox.
VINEYARD
This wine is crafted from the best blocks of our estate vineyards. Sourced from estate grown plantings at the Bien Nacido Vineyard (block 11 planted in 1997) and Le Bon Climat Vineyard (planted in 1998) both located in the Santa Maria Valley. These two vineyards are only separated by the Sisquoc River. This cuvee annually has 50% traditional California “selections massales” and 50% new Dijon clones. The blend includes from Bien Nacido Vineyard: Swan, Jackson, 115, 777, 667, 2A, and Pommard clones and from Le Bon Climat Vineyard: Mount Eden, 2A, and 667 clones.
CELLAR
The fruit is hand harvested and vineyard sorted. After destemming, the must was fermented in a 5 ton open top fermenter. To regulate the fermentation and maximize extraction the fruit was punched down by hand twice a day. The wine is transferred to all new Francois Freres French oak barrels and aged for 22 months. The wine is lightly fined with egg whites then bottled without filtration.
ACCOLADES
93 points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous Media
92 points – Jeb Dunnuck
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2019 – Tech Sheet
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2019 – POS
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2018 – Tech Sheet
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2018 – POS
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2017 – POS
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2016 – POS
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2015 – POS
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2014 – POS
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2013 – POS