Aged in French barrels (Francois Frères). This wine was started in commemoration of the birth of the eldest son, Knox, in 1999. It is made using only grapes harvested from a specific block of the famous Bienna Seed vineyard in Santa Barbara and from Le Bon Climat, the winery's own vineyard. The wine expresses the individuality of the vineyard, with excellent acidity, lively fruit, supple tannins, and a long finish.
"Knox Alexander"
This wine was first produced in 1998 to commemorate the birth of their eldest son, Knox Alexander.
Isabel, named after the eldest daughter, is a blend of Au Bon Climat's vineyards from all over California, but Knox Alexander is made only from Pinot Noir from a specific block of Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County and the winery's own vineyard, Le Bon Climat.
Tasting Comments
The wine is lively and fragrant, and is packed with aromas of spicy, slightly black cherry, fresh raspberry, dried herbs and earthy notes, among other characteristics of Pinot Noir.
Rimmed by firm tannins, it has a powerful taste from the concentrated fruit, while also revealing elegant acidity, minerality, and a variety of spices in multiple layers.
The solid quality and suppleness of this wine are characteristic of Knox.
Field Information
Bien Nacido Vineyards
The special high altitude plot (Block 11) of the Bien Nacido Vineyard is on a steep slope facing northwest, and uses 50% Dijon clones (667, 777) planted in 1997 and 50% traditional California Selections clones (115, 2A, Swan, Jackson). The wines are elegant, flavorful, and deep.
Le Bon Climat
Le Bon Climat is a 40-hectare vineyard purchased in 1998, located south of the Bien Nacid Vineyard, across the Sisoc River, about the same distance from the sea.
Jim Clendenen himself selects the low-yielding rootstocks, scion clones, planting spacing, irrigation methods, etc.
The fields are mostly on slopes with good drainage and low nutrient content, and have been grown organically since the beginning, receiving organic certification in 2003.
Block 2, which is used for Knox, is a slope facing southwest and is cool due to the early morning fog that rises from the sea.
The result is a muscular, powerful and firm wine.
Vintage: 2019
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Santa Maria Valley
Nested AVAs: Santa Maria Valley
Vineyard: Bien Nacido, Le Bon Climat 10%
Winemaker: Jim Adelman
Winemaking: Fermentation using some whole bunches
Aging: Aged for approximately 2 years in François Frères barrels from France
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 13.5%
JAN: 850755000233