2019 Clendenen Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Rancho La Cuna

The 2019 Clendenen Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Rancho La Cuna is a refined, site-driven expression of Santa Barbara County Pinot, crafted in tiny quantities under the personal label of the late Jim Clendenen. Where Au Bon Climat is known for its benchmark balance and classical styling, the Clendenen Family wines take that philosophy a step further, exploring nuanced vineyards and ageworthy, old-world inspired expressions. Rancho La Cuna Pinot Noir combines the finesse and aromatic lift of cool-climate California with the structure and longevity Jim famously admired in Burgundy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Rancho La Cuna Pinot Noir shows a vivid, translucent ruby hue with garnet edges, hinting at both purity of fruit and a gentle evolution in bottle. The nose is complex and layered: wild red berries, pomegranate and cranberry interweave with rose petal, dried violet, blood orange zest and nuances of forest floor, tea leaf and subtle baking spices from well-judged oak. On the palate, this is a poised, medium-bodied Pinot with striking energy. Juicy red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry are framed by fine, powdery tannins and a vibrant, mouth-watering acidity that keeps the wine lifted and precise. Savory notes of dried herbs, sandalwood and a faint hint of smoky mineral underpin the fruit, giving a long, graceful finish that feels more about length than weight. True to the Clendenen style, the 2019 is built to age: while already expressive, it should gain further complexity and silkiness over the next 8–12 years in a good cellar.

Production
Rancho La Cuna is sourced from a cool, maritime-influenced site in Santa Barbara County, where ocean breezes and diurnal shifts preserve acidity and extend the growing season—ideal conditions for nuanced Pinot Noir. The vines are carefully tended and yields kept low to ensure concentration and purity of fruit. Grapes are harvested by hand at moderate ripeness, prioritizing balance over sheer power, and sorted meticulously in the winery. Fermentation typically takes place in small, temperature-controlled vessels, often with a portion of whole clusters to enhance aromatic lift, spice and structure. The wine is then aged in carefully selected French oak barrels—largely used or modestly new—to add texture and complexity without overwhelming the delicate character of the vineyard, before bottling with minimal intervention to preserve terroir detail.

Food & Serving
This elegant Pinot Noir is a natural partner for refined, subtly flavored dishes. Try it with roast duck breast with cherries, herb-roasted chicken, grilled salmon or tuna, mushroom risotto, or earthy dishes featuring lentils, beetroot and roasted root vegetables. Its bright acidity and fine tannins also make it an excellent match for charcuterie, mild to medium-intensity cheeses and simply prepared game birds. Serve at 14–16°C (57–61°F) in Burgundy-style stems; a gentle decant of 30–45 minutes can help the aromatics fully unfurl, especially in the wine’s youth.

Producer
Clendenen Family Vineyards is the personal, passion-driven project of Jim Clendenen, the legendary founder and longtime winemaker of Au Bon Climat in Santa Barbara County. Whereas Au Bon Climat helped define the region’s classic, Burgundian-leaning style of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the Clendenen Family label allowed Jim to explore special parcels, extended aging and more idiosyncratic, collector-focused bottlings in very small quantities. Established in 2000, the estate quickly became a quiet insider favorite, with most wines sold directly in the United States and rarely seen in Europe. Jim’s influence on Santa Barbara’s modern wine scene is profound—both through his own wines and through the many winemakers he inspired—and the Clendenen Family releases, such as Rancho La Cuna Pinot Noir, stand as some of the most personal and ageworthy reflections of his vision.

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