Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Reserve
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release, with the structure to cellar for up to 20 years in exceptional vintages.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, herb-crusted rack of lamb
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1982 by the legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach, Au Bon Climat is a pioneering estate located in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, California. Situated on the historic Bien Nacido Vineyard, the winery is internationally acclaimed for its unwavering commitment to crafting Burgundian-style wines of balance, restraint, and longevity. Utilizing traditional French winemaking techniques, including open-top fermenters, manual punch-downs, and aging in classic Francois Frères French oak barrels, Au Bon Climat produces highly expressive, food-friendly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their signature expressions, such as the Knox Alexander Pinot Noir and Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Chardonnay, showcase the unique, cool-climate terroir of California's Central Coast.