WTN: 2004 Au Bon Climat Pinot, La Bauge Au-dessus

2004 Au Bon Climat Pinot, La Bauge Au-dessus, Pinot Noir

The fruit is sourced from Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. Medium weight Pinot with a nice core of cherry fruit and cola notes. Some oak, but I did not find it obtrusive at all. Finishes with pepper and clove overtones and enough acidity to make in refreshing. A nice accompaniment to a simple porch-dinner on a warm summer evening in the heartland. The bottle was not decanted and it took about 30 to 45 minutes in the glass to show its' best. I liked it a lot.

Since this was a sample bottle I'm unsure of the price.

Bill

[Robin Garr]

2004 Au Bon Climat Pinot, La Bauge Au-dessus, Pinot Noir

This is a funny thing for a professed Euro-phile to say, but I really like most of Au Bon Climat's wines, especially the reds.

I think the La Bauge Au-Dessus goes for around $30, but I'm guessing based on purchases a few years back.

[Jenise]

Robin, I've seen ABC pinots up here and am surprised that they sell in the relative low range (for an out of state wine) of $25ish.

[Robin Garr]

Robin, I've seen ABC pinots up here and am surprised that they sell in the relative low range (for an out of state wine) of $25ish.

Remember, though, that ABC has a huge portfolio with lots of Pinots (and a Pinot/Mondeuse blend that TomHill and I were discussing recently), and prices vary from the teens on up. I <i>think</i> La Bauge Au-dessus is a little more than the Santa Barbara bottlings.

Oddly enough, we have exceptional access to ABC wines here ... I think the owner of the big local wine-shop chain is a friend of Clendenen's.

[Jenise]

I realize there are various bottlings, but I own some Au Dessus and it was definitely the Au Dessus I saw recently--in the past few weeks. I was surprised because I paid $23 at auction when I reflexively believed the wine should have been at least $30 (the minimum price for any good-name California pinot around here).

Maybe the shop got them on close-out.

This bottling from Bien Nacido has been in the ABC portfolio since the early 90s, when Jim started giving his wines odd French names. It generally fits into his lineup at the low end of single vineyards. However, the current label and description does not appear to mention Bien Nacido. It says the block for this wine was planted in 1994 (and I presume it is in Bien Nacido). Price is $30.

Here is info direct from ABC:
http://www.aubonclimat.com/detail.asp?product_id=WPLB04Y

Bernie/All,
The label on my 2004 states: "... from grapes grown at Bien Nacido Vineyard".
Bill

[Robin Garr]

I realize there are various bottlings, but I own some Au Dessus and it was definitely the Au Dessus I saw recently--in the past few weeks. I was surprised because I paid $23 at auction when I reflexively believed the wine should have been at least $30 (the minimum price for any good-name California pinot around here).

Maybe the shop got them on close-out.

Sounds to me as if you got a deal!

My recollection of the Au Dessus street price seems to coincide with Bernie's info. At your price, I'da loaded up.

Some of the best Pinot Noir comes out of that winery, IMHO.


Another good choice and for under $20 bucks:


Au Bon Climat 2003 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir