4.25/5 My first exposure to the Au Bon Climat “Knox Alexander” was a particularly wonderful experience. I had the good fortune to be seated across the table from Jim Cllenden at the 2011 IPNC La Grand Fête. He shared a bottle of this wine with the table. I was awe struck by how incredibly delicious it was-one of the best wines I had ever tasted. I asked Jim how he made such a delicious wine? After a brief pause “It was a lot of damn hard work.” I remember him saying he put a vineyard on a north facing slope in order to make ripening more difficult. It sure seemed to work. I forget which vintage that wine was. I am almost certain it was at least 10 years old at the time.
I purchased this bottle in memory of the first tasting of “Knox Alexander”. It wasn’t as delicious as those first tastes at IPNC but it was quite delicious. Beautiful acidity, a hint of tannin, beautiful fruit flavor - cranberry like, a touch thin on the mid palate, a beautiful bright cherry red color. It was a fine wine to drink, from start to finish. It would be a great pleasure to drink another bottle in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Solid Pinot with loads of rustic fruit and dusty, wet leather. Pleasant mouthfeel with lovely nuances of spiced raspberries and cherries, clove, and olive tapenade.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lots of fresh red berries, oak and some hints of developing earthy notes. On the palate medium+ bodied, stratightforward and rather rich. But also very fresh. This represents a style of Cali-pinot that I have a weak spot for. Lots of fresh fruit, without loosing any freshness. Could go on for Another 3-5 years I guess,but why wait, delicious now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not so fond of the heavy bottle. Cork sound, but soaked half through. Color was what I like to see in a pinot noir--transparent, light ruby. The transparency belies the body--this was a fairly full-throttle bottle, with plenty of body, stone and berry flavors, bright acidity, and no shortage of tannins. A very satisfying bottle, especially coming on the heels of a strangely muddled pinot noir from a different California producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
(Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Knox Alexander) Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; aromatic, rosehips, sous bois, green herb nose; tight, sous bois, tart cranberry, mineral, tart raspberry, tart strawberry, rosehips, dried herb palate with medium acidity; needs 4-5 years; medium-plus finish (13.5% alcohol)
NOTE: Some content is property of Vinous and i-WineReview.com and RJonWine.com.
5/22/2021 - pinotpounder wrote: 92 Points
92 points
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2018 - Giacomo Likes this wine:
4.25/5
My first exposure to the Au Bon Climat “Knox Alexander” was a particularly wonderful experience. I had the good fortune to be seated across the table from Jim Cllenden at the 2011 IPNC La Grand Fête. He shared a bottle of this wine with the table. I was awe struck by how incredibly delicious it was-one of the best wines I had ever tasted. I asked Jim how he made such a delicious wine? After a brief pause “It was a lot of damn hard work.” I remember him saying he put a vineyard on a north facing slope in order to make ripening more difficult. It sure seemed to work. I forget which vintage that wine was. I am almost certain it was at least 10 years old at the time.
I purchased this bottle in memory of the first tasting of “Knox Alexander”. It wasn’t as delicious as those first tastes at IPNC but it was quite delicious. Beautiful acidity, a hint of tannin, beautiful fruit flavor - cranberry like, a touch thin on the mid palate, a beautiful bright cherry red color. It was a fine wine to drink, from start to finish. It would be a great pleasure to drink another bottle in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2018 - Ryan.Vento Likes this wine: 93 Points
Solid Pinot with loads of rustic fruit and dusty, wet leather. Pleasant mouthfeel with lovely nuances of spiced raspberries and cherries, clove, and olive tapenade.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2016 - Blauweiss Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lots of fresh red berries, oak and some hints of developing earthy notes. On the palate medium+ bodied, stratightforward and rather rich. But also very fresh. This represents a style of Cali-pinot that I have a weak spot for. Lots of fresh fruit, without loosing any freshness.
Could go on for Another 3-5 years I guess,but why wait, delicious now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2015 - Italiana Likes this wine:
Not so fond of the heavy bottle. Cork sound, but soaked half through. Color was what I like to see in a pinot noir--transparent, light ruby. The transparency belies the body--this was a fairly full-throttle bottle, with plenty of body, stone and berry flavors, bright acidity, and no shortage of tannins. A very satisfying bottle, especially coming on the heels of a strangely muddled pinot noir from a different California producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment