Clendenen Family Vineyards "The Pip" Nebbiolo, Santa Maria, California 2018

FROM AU BON CLIMAT:

THE WINE: Our Nebbiolo for PIP is grown in the cool Santa Maria Valley at Rancho Sisquoc, one of the oldest vineyards in this region. It is a late-ripening varietal, but always has great acidity when harvested. The 2018 “Pip” Nebbiolo shows all the attributes of good Nebbiolo. After initial fermentation in open-top fermentors, the wine is put in both 500L Hungarian oak puncheons and neutral French oak barrels for 3 years. Nebbiolo benefits from extended oak aging as the tannins mellow and all the flavor components become more integrated. The color of the 2018 is deep garnet. Nebbiolo is a light skinned grape and produces a red wine (Not Black) if grown and made honestly.

THE PRODUCER: Jim Clendenen often dreamed of having a small winery where commerce was not the driving force. Instead, the dream was to have the luxury to keep wines long in barrel should they need it (5 years for the Nebbiolo!); to explore offbeat varietals and idiosyncratic styles because they are interesting. Created in 2000, the Clendenen Family brand is a project of passion. There is no doubt quality is here along with the ABC signature of balance, finesse, and longevity.