AU BON CLIMAT 2020 “Knox Alexander” Pinot Noir
Santa Maria Valley, California
*This cuvee is named for Jim Clendenen’s son, Knox.
VINEYARD, This wine represents the finest lots of Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley appellation; primarily from Bien Nacido where the winery is located, Le Bon Climat, and a small amount from Runway, our next-door neighbor. Though close to each other, these three vineyards produce outstanding Pinot Noirs that are distinctly different. Blended together the wine showcases the signature Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir character of cherry, cranberry, red currant, rose hip and sage that is so well displayed in Knox Alexander Pinots.
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 inclusion of whole cluster is rare for a Knox bottling, but for this vintage, 25% is whole cluster fermented. The wine is pressed to complete dryness and goes to barrel with moderate lees where it aged for 22 months in 100% new François Frères French oak barrels. There was a regimented barrel selection to identify the best lots for the Knox bottling.
ACCOLADES
95 points – Jeb Dunnuck
93 points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous Media
ABC – Knox Pinot Noir 2020 – Tech Sheet
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