TN: 1995 Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir

WINE TALK
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1995 AU BON CLIMAT CUVEE ISABELLE PINOT NOIR- the second bottling of this fabulous wine and actually the birth year for Isabelle; capped with a hard porcelain like blue wax and corked with a LONG European type cork which came out with little saturation, this bottle was as good as any I`ve had; the inviting aromatics had spicy and lightly toasted black fruit; the taste profile had more spice accents to the black raspberry, blueberry, red cherry/ berry fruit; it was full bodied, had wonderful structure, great texture and a driving energy sustained throughout; it is full of life force and has many years of consummate pleasing to go.

Cheers,
Blake
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ABC produces some really great Pinot. We just had the '16 Santa Barbara County, $21, last night. Ready to go now and so enjoyable.

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I have a few older Isabelles sitting, but nothing quite that far back. Just waiting for a fitting occasion.

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My wife helped Isabelle get into college…does that count??

5

Not too surprised that this Pinot held up so well.
Like BobLindquist’s wines, it’s the balance that carries it out so far.
Plus the 20% Syrah that Jim always adds to hi Pinots!! [stirthepothal.gif]
Tom

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Tom,

Are you confusing Refosco with Syrah?? Again!

7

Great note Blake, love Jim’s wines.

Quick question: do you notice any change in style/ blend in Isabelle or Knox Alexander wines over the last 20 years?

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Mel, you and your wife always count.

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Great question Subu and one Ive thought about often. The answer is yes. I think it has more to do with the vintage and the vineyards expression plus he has added other vineyards to the blend. As far as I know, Jim has not tried to replicate the taste profile, but has attempted to put out the best blend possible regardless of all other factors. Bien Nacido still represents a major portion of the blend and the spicy component remains in tact as a result.

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Mitch, you will be happy with any and all. They are holding up beautifully and they do deserve a special occasion.

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Thanks for the TN. I still have a few of these from 95 and 96 purchased via the Wine Cask futures program. I loved Doug M’s futures program and I was able to purchase many great wines from the Santa Barbra area that were unavailable to me in the mid-west. ABC, Babcock, Talley, Ojai, Sanford and Tensley are some of the great wines he offered. Most were single vineyard special cuvees produced in less than 250 case lots. The prices were good too. A real education in wine and the quality coming out of the area at the time.

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Thanks BB, one of my long term experiments is with a bottle of the '97(ripe year for sure, I know), not sure when I’ll open it, but your note is encouraging. Fwiw, the label on my 97 looks way worse than your '95.

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Totally agree. Dougs futures events were extra special with the winemakers pouring most of the goodies offered and advance pricing at reasonable fare. I took advantage of this year after year and still have some of these treasures. Thanks for the flashback. Good move getting the 95 and 96`.

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CJ, my label was the worst of the remaining bottles I have and I pulled it because of that. I have not had the 97 in a long time. If you open it, Id be interested in how it is showing as I have that vintage as well.

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Ah that explains it, that spice box component is a signature of all PNs I have had by Jim…