2019 | Au Bon Climat | Hildegard

The 2018 Chardonnay Runway Vineyard comes from a site outside of Santa Maria and was aged 18 months entirely in new French oak. It's another gorgeous Chardonnay Au Bon Climat’s “Hildegard” is a recreation of the original varietal planting of the Corton Charlemagne vineyard in 800 A.D. Chardonnay was not part of the mix at the time, but rather Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté.
The combination of this unique blend with long term barrel aging (2 years) made something special. It has a texture, complexity, and distinctiveness that cannot be found in a single white wine varietal.
Hand harvested, whole cluster pressed and put into barrel to ferment. The 3 varietals age separate for 2 years in 100% new François Frères French oak barrels.
Lovely aroma of vanilla and hazelnuts from the oak, and a mouth-coating richness, makes for a wine that seems like Chardonnay. But the fruit profile is more bruised apple and pear, and the aromas are more floral than Chardonnay. Minerally lavender and vanilla note from the fermentation/aging regime in top-notch barrels. Aromas of ripe stone fruit, contrast nicely with fresh herbal scent as the wine is initially evaluated.

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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