Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir / 2023 / 750mL

The Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2023 is a deeply coloured, fruit-driven Pinot Noir from California's Central Coast, built on bright red fruit with an earthy undercurrent. Hand-harvested fruit from Santa Barbara County vineyards is fermented in small lots with daily manual punch-downs, then aged in French oak for eight to twelve months.

Aromatically the wine leads with spiced cranberry, strawberry and a floral hibiscus lift, with bay leaf and white pepper sitting behind. The palate follows through on plum, dark cherry and red currant, threaded with anise, black tea and clove, and a faint wet-stone savouriness that keeps the fruit honest.

Tannins are fine and gently powdery rather than stiff, and the acidity runs straight through the middle of the wine, giving it shape without hardness. Texture is the strong suit here: silky, medium-bodied, with enough flesh to feel generous and a finish that turns to tea leaf and dried herb.

Serve this Santa Barbara Pinot Noir at around 16°C, with half an hour in a decanter if you have the time. It works with roast duck or chicken, truffled risotto or pasta dishes, grilled quail or a plate of charcuterie, and is equally happy on its own. The 2023 is drinking well now and should hold comfortably through to 2030.