I thought it might be a nice way to say goodbye to Jim, so cracked these 4 open this weekend:
1. AuBonClimat "Hildegard" Estate/BienNacido& LeBonClimat Vnyds/SantaMariaVlly WW (13.5%; 50% PinotGris/40% PinotBlanc/10% Aligote) JimClendenen/MindBehind/SantaMaria 2017: Med.dark gold color; very fragrant ripe peach/floral/peach blossom slight nutty very light pencilly/Fr.oak/toasty bit perfumed talc/spicy/nutmeg quite complex beautiful perfumed nose; lightly tart/tangy fairly rich/lush very spicyf/floral/ripe peach/peach blossom light pencilly/nutmeg/toasty/oak light perfumed talc rather complex flavor; very long/lingering lightly tart rather rich/lush/mouthfilling strong spicy/floral/PG/ripe peach/peach blossom some pencilly/Fr.oak/toasty/nutmeg fairly complex finish; resembles an Alsatian PG but w/ a distinct oak signature; speaks strongly of ABC complexity/polished character; this is how OliverHumbrecht would make PG if he could; probably will improve over the next 2-5 yrs; beautiful PG. $36.00 (SFW&S)
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2. AuBonClimat 67% PinotGris/33% PinotBlanc SantaBarbaraCnty (13.0%) 2018: Light gold color; quite fragrant/floral/carnations/PG quite aromatic/perfumed talc loads of fruit slight pencilly/oak lovely nose; fairly tart very perfumed/floral/PG/carnations bit pineapple/mango/perfumed talc very light pencilly/oak lovely flavor; very long/lingering lightly tart bright/floral/PG/carnations/gardenias/rather spicy slight pineapple lovely finish; reminds a lot of Alsatian PG; a beautiful/pretty/bright/vibrant very aromatic expression of PG at a great price. $19.00 (KK)
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3. AuBonClimat Chard SantaBarbaraCnty (13.5%) 2018: Light gold color; some toasty/pencilly/Fr.oak ripe/melony/Chard fairly fragrant quite attractive nose; fairly tart/tangy strong ripe/melony/Chard strong toasty/Fr.oak/pencilly smooth/balanced classic ABC/polished/balanced lovely flavor; very long/lingering strong melony/Chard/slight lemony/perfumed talc strong pencilly/toasty/Fr.oak smooth/balanced finish; a very attractive 4-square/sensible/drinkable ABC Chard. $22.50 (KK)
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4. AuBonClimat PinotNoir SantaBarbaraCnty (13.5%) 2018: Med.light color; quite cedary/pencilly/smokey/toasty/Fr.oak some cherry/PN/black cherry bit earthy somewhat Burgundian bit complex nose; lightly tart/tangy strong toasty/pencilly/Fr.oak/bit smokey some cherry/PN/black cherry/earthy smooth/balanced some Burgundian bit complex flavor w/ light gentle tannins; very long rather toasty/pencilly/oak/smokey light cherry/PN/earthy smooth/balanced bit complex finish w/ light smooth tannins;a quite pleasant smooth/balanced/drinkable rather Burgundian-like Calif PN; a quite pretty PN but would like a bit more interest; very nice drinking but not particularly interesting. $24.00 (KK)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. The general SBC Chard & PN were pleasant wines at a very fair price showing the classic ABC restrained winemaking, but just that. They had a classic Kansas sensibility to them of my Grandma's flannel pajamas. But the two white blends were outstanding.
Thanks for everything, Jim. You had a great run & will long be remembered.
Tom