Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Reserve
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2030
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, herb-crusted rack of lamb
✨ Technical Specifications
The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, planted in 1971 by pioneers Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict, is the birthplace of fine Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills. Recognizing the extraordinary potential of these ancient, own-rooted vines, Au Bon Climat's legendary founder Jim Clendenen began sourcing fruit from this historic site in the early 1980s. Grown on thin, calcium-rich soils littered with chert and diatomaceous earth, the grapes benefit from the intense maritime winds channeled through the Santa Ynez Valley. Crafted using traditional Burgundian methods—including open-top fermentation, manual punch-downs, and extensive aging in classic François Frères French oak barrels—this Reserve bottling represents a masterclass in restraint, structure, and terroir expression, balancing bright red fruit with savory, earthy complexity.
🍾 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%