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A remarkable 'Italian' red from California

The 2001 Bricco Buon Natale Barbera has lush fruit and an almost unbelievable price

By Edward Deitch
Wine columnist
Updated: 2:21 p.m. ET Sept. 7, 2005
  
 

For me, one of the summer’s best food and wine pairings came the other night with a memorable red from California’s Santa Barbara County. No, it was not pinot noir, the grape that played a leading role in "Sideways," the movie that injected Santa Barbara and its pinots into the popular culture last year.

The wine I enjoyed was the outstanding 2001 Bricco Buon Natale Barbera. That’s right, barbera from southern California made by Jim Clendenen, who owns the well-known Au Bon Climat Winery and who also makes and champions Italian-inspired wines, some of them under the Bricco Buon Natale label. The other headline here is that the wine has a suggested price of just $12, and may even be a couple of dollars less in some places. At last, an original California wine at a great price!

Edward Deitch
Wine columnist
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Au Bon Climat Events:

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Winemaker Dinner
Friday, October 7

Au Bon Climat’s “official” tasting room, the Santa Ynez Inn Wine Cellar, is hosting a winemaker dinner Friday evening to kick off the Harvest Festival weekend.  Featuring acclaimed wines by Jim Clendenen, the evening begins at 6:30.  $95.00 per person, please call the Santa Ynez Inn to R.S.V.P. at (805) 688-5588.
 

Celebration of Harvest!
Saturday, October 8

Join Au Bon Climat, Cold Heaven, and the 100+ members of the Vintners’ Association as we celebrate the 2005 harvest! Our annual harvest festival will once again be held on the beautiful grounds of Rancho Sisquoc in the Santa Maria Valley  More at: Santa Barbara County Wines.

Fall Open House
Sunday, October 9

This is one of only 2 times a year when the winery opens to the public! Taste all the wines from Au Bon Climat, Qupé, Verdad, Cold Heaven, Makor, Ici/La-Bas, Vita Nova, Il Podere dell‛ Olivos and Barham Mendelsohn.  11 AM to 3 PM, $15 admission includes lunch!  Call the winery for more information and location. (805) 937-9801.

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