Isabelle Morgan Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2030
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, herb-crusted rack of lamb
✨ Technical Specifications
Au Bon Climat's 'Isabelle' Pinot Noir is a flagship cuvée created by the late, legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen. Named in honor of his daughter, Isabelle Morgan Clendenen, this wine represents a masterclass in blending. Unlike single-vineyard designates, Isabelle is a barrel-selection cuvée sourcing the finest Pinot Noir from top-tier cool-climate vineyards across California, often spanning from northern Mendocino down to the Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills, including the historic Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict vineyards. This unique approach allows for a wine of exceptional complexity, structure, and consistency. Crafted using traditional Burgundian techniques—open-top fermentation, manual punch-downs, and extensive aging in premium François Frères French oak barrels—it is celebrated for its seamless integration of dark berry fruit, savory forest floor, and refined spice.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1982 by the visionary late winemaker Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach, Au Bon Climat is situated in the cool-climate expanse of the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Operating out of the acclaimed Bien Nacido Vineyard, the winery forged an international reputation by championing restraint, balance, and classical Burgundian traditions long before cool-climate California viticulture entered the mainstream. Driven by early harvesting, indigenous fermentations, and meticulous French oak aging, Au Bon Climat crafts structured, age-worthy wines distinguished by high natural acidity and moderate alcohol levels. The estate is celebrated globally for its expressive site-specific and reserve bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including iconic signature labels such as Knox Alexander, Isabelle, and Nuits-Blanches au Bouge.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5%