2016 | Au Bon Climat | Chardonnay 31st Vintage Sanford and Benedict Vineyard

Much more sophisticated than their Wild Boy, laced with steely, almost rusty reductive notes on the nose. Tangy green fruit on the palate, toasted bread and charcoal on the palate with a long, mealy finish. Perhaps just a little low in acidity on the finish, but it’s completely forgivable as an authentic West Coast resident

Reviews:

• Wine Spectator: This is winemaker Jim Clendenen's take on the region's most important vineyard. It is light in the glass yet with savory aromas of chalk, butter, hazelnut and sandalwood. Rounded flavors of lemon, honeydew and orange cream lead into a caramelized finish.

Producer Information

Au Bon Climat is a Californian estate with an international reputation for its Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines made predominantly in Santa Barbara County. Owner-winemaker Jim Clendenen was one of the best-known figures in the American wine industry.The estate consists of the Le Bon Climat vineyard and plantings in the Bien Nacido Vineyard, both in Santa Maria Valley. However, Au Bon Climat also sources grapes from several other highly regarded vineyards, including Sanford & Benedict in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County, and Talley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County.The portfolio is led by a range of single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, made from Au Bon Climat's various vineyards. This is underpinned by wines from the wider Santa Barbara County AVA, including a Pinot Gris – Pinot Blanc blend and the Hildegard cuvée which combines these two varieties with Aligoté.

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