Aged in French barrels (Francois Frères). Named after his daughter Isabelle, this flagship wine is a blend of the best barrels from Au Bon Climat's California Single Vineyard. It has a honeysuckle-flavored barrel aroma reminiscent of Grand Cru from the Cote d'Or in Burgundy, and a rich, complex finish. A rich and smooth Pinot Noir with impressive red fruit. From the 18VTG, the design of Isabelle on a swing has been changed to one relaxing with a glass of wine. Designed by Isabelle herself.
Every year when a new Jezebel is released I get knocked out. I wonder why?
While this changes each year, Au Bon Climat's selection of the top single vineyards for Pinot Noir allows them to consistently produce a top cuvée each year.
Dried cherry, tart raspberry, spicy oak, hints of earth and woodland, and pinot character emerge from the glass.
"Isabelle"
Many of Au Bon Climat's signature wines have nicknames, and it was this wine that made those nicknames famous.
This wine, named after the late Jim's eldest daughter, "Isabelle," was first released in 1994. Until the 2017 vintage, the label featured a young Isabelle on a swing, but it was changed from the 2018 vintage.
Starting with the 2018 vintage, the design features an adult Isabelle relaxing with a glass of wine (designed by Isabelle herself).
Isabel had been begging Jim for a long time, saying, "I'm not a child anymore, so please change this picture!" and her wish was granted.
The best barrels (the highest quality barrels each year) are selected from all the Pinot Noir produced by Au Bon Climat and blended together.
The percentages each year are not disclosed, but selections are drawn from around six vineyards across the county.
These include Bien Nacido in the Santa Maria Valley, Sanford & Benedict in the Santa Rita Hills, Mount Carmel, Turley Lincoln in the Arroyo Grande Valley, Anderson Valley in Mendocino County and Russian River Valley in Sonoma.
Although it is positioned as Au Bon Climat's finest wine because it is a blend of Pinot Noir from a wide region, its AVA is California.
The grapes are harvested by hand and rigorously selected in the vineyard and at the winery. They are then fermented in open stainless steel tanks and punched down by hand before being aged in new barrels from François Frères in France.
Barrel selection tasting takes several days, and the selected barrels are then inspected for over a year before finally being blended.
In 2021, Bien Nacido (Santa Maria Valley), Rancho Lacuna & Los Alamos Vineyards (Los Alamos Valley/Santa Barbara), Sanford & Benedict (Santa Rita Hills), and Lara Pansy (Russian River Valley) were selected. These are literally the best Pinot Noir and multi-vineyard wines representing California.
Tasting Comments
The blending of various elements from each vineyard adds depth and complexity to the flavor, resulting in a wonderful Pinot Noir.
This rich and complex red wine has a high harmony of Pinot Noir's unique honeysuckle flavor and oak aroma, reminiscent of the Grand Crus of the Côte d'Or in Burgundy.
It can be enjoyed now, but the rich acidity provides a strong backbone, so it can also be enjoyed with age.
Vintage: 2021
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
Ava: California
Winemaker: Jim Adelman
Vinification: Fermented in open stainless steel tanks, manual punchdown
Aging: Aged in new barrels from François Frères, France
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 13.5%
JAN: 850755000240