Isabelle Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2030
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, herb-crusted rack of lamb
✨ Technical Specifications
Created by the legendary, late winemaker Jim Clendenen, the 'Isabelle' Pinot Noir is a deeply personal flagship cuvée named in honor of his daughter, born in 1995. Unlike single-vineyard designates, Isabelle is a masterclass in blending, representing a selection of the absolute best barrels from Au Bon Climat's most prestigious cool-climate vineyard sources across California, including the historic Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley and Sanford & Benedict in the Sta. Rita Hills. Crafted using traditional Burgundian techniques—such as open-top fermenters, manual punch-downs, and aging in 100% new Francois Frères French oak barrels—this wine is celebrated for its remarkable balance, seamless integration, and structural longevity, bridging the gap between California's vibrant fruit and Burgundy's refined elegance.
🍾 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%