2005 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Talley Vineyards Arroyo Grande Valley

The handsomely coiffed Jim Clendenen was a pioneer of Burgundy-inspired Chardonnays as well as Pinot Noirs. His wines are minerally, focused and restrained in the early going, and sometimes quite oaky. Lay them down for a year or two, or pour them into a decanter if you plan to drink them young. In the last decade Clendenen has been moving towards organic winemaking, and his newer Le Bon Climat vineyard has been certified organic since 2003.

The handsomely coiffed Jim Clendenen was a pioneer of Burgundy-inspired Chardonnays as well as Pinot Noirs. His wines are minerally, focused and restrained in the early going, and sometimes quite oaky. Lay them down for a year or two, or pour them into a decanter if you plan to dr... more