2021 Bernardus Chardonnay Sierra Mar Vineyard
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2023 - 2031 |
Description
Almost by chance, former Dutch racing driver Ben Pon (you know, from the Pon family, which is an importer of VW, Audi and Porsche, among others) acquired a piece of land on the Californian slopes behind Carmel Valley Village in 1989. Here he started his Bernardus Winery with the aim of producing wines that rival the greatest Bordeaux and Grand Crus.
The vineyards in the Carmel Valley are carefully planted with various grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. While Bordeaux style varieties grow in vineyards in Carmel Valley, Chardonnay is cultivated in cool maritime climates, namely in the Monterey Bay. Grapes from other appellations in California are used to add nuances to the Bernardus blends.
The Bernardus Chardonnay Sierra Mar Vineyard has undergone a wood aging period of more than 15 months. The grapes for this gem are of course all harvested by hand so that only the best juice is used for this wine. Due to the long wood aging, the color is deep golden yellow. The scent is very special. The aromas of apple and pear form a beautiful interplay with hints of orange blossom, caramel and even some petroleum. The taste is full, thick and very diverse. At first we immediately recognize the Bernardus Chardonnay style, later this is transformed by special nuances of candied orange peel, cream, cinnamon and nutmeg. A perfect combination with the tropical fruit. The aftertaste is intense and long. Really a mouthful. This Chardonnay Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard is a Chardonnay for the advanced Chardonnay drinker. Full bodied, buttercotsch, but that in combination with the great acidity makes this almost Burgundian-looking Napa chardonnay.
Fact: only around 90-120 bottles of this wine come to the Netherlands every year.
Specifications
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Bernardus |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2031 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 91 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Professional Reviews
Parker
Rating
91
Release Price
$40
Drink Date
2016 - 2019
Reviewed by
Jeb Dunnuck
Issue Date
28th Sep 2016
Source
Interim End of September 2016, The Wine Advocate
A clean, classy Chardonnay that offers lots of white peach, apple peel and hints of toast is the 2014 Chardonnay Sierra Mar. Medium-bodied, fresh and beautifully focused, with a crystalline feel, it's a terrific white to drink over the coming couple of years as well. There are just over 500 cases made and it's a good value.
Bernardus is owned by Ben Pon and is located in Carmel Valley. The wines have been made by Burgundy-trained Dean De Korth since 2005. Most of these are made in small quantities and the quality appears to be on the upswing.
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Bernardus Winery is located in Carmel Valley, where ocean fog and Californian sunshine take turns throughout the day. The estate is known for wines with freshness and depth. Sometimes serious, sometimes playfully surprising. The long growing season gives the grapes plenty of time to build flavor. And you can taste it.
Location and climate
Carmel Valley sits just a few kilometres from the cool Monterey coastline. You notice it immediately when the ocean breeze rolls in and temperatures drop in an instant. This daily cooling slows ripening and adds nuance to the fruit. Warm and sunny during the day, yet cool enough in the evening to reach for a jacket. That contrast is exactly what makes Bernardus wines so vibrant.
Soils and terroir of Bernardus
The soils range from granite to loam and sand, a geological buffet that the vines happily make use of. Deep rooting leads to concentration and structure. The Bordeaux varieties thrive in the warmer parcels. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir prefer the cooler spots. It is almost as if every grape has its own favourite microclimate, and Bernardus ensures they all feel at home.
Grape varieties and vineyard management
Bernardus works with estate vineyards and supplements with fruit from top growers in Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco. All with one goal: only the best grapes enter the cellar. Harvesting is done by hand, which not only preserves quality but also provides an excellent workout for the team. Low yields mean more concentration. Fewer grapes, more flavour.
Winemaking and style at Bernardus
The red wines ferment slowly and then mature in French barriques. Not too much, not too little. Just enough to add depth without masking the fruit. The style is ripe yet balanced, with soft tannins and clear structure.
The white wines are lively and energetic. Chardonnay is aged partly in oak and partly in stainless steel, resulting in a wine that is both fresh and rounded. A bit like yin and yang in your glass.
Bernardus' philosophy
Bernardus aims to create wines with elegance and tension. No excessive richness, no overripe fruit and certainly no vanilla overload. The European influence of founder Ben Pon is still unmistakable. The estate works with respect for the natural surroundings and remains committed to a style that focuses on balance. You can almost taste the approach: nothing overcomplicated, just genuinely well made wine.
Ordering at Grandcruwijnen
At Grandcruwijnen you will find a wide range of wines from Bernardus Winery. Everything is carefully stored and ready to ship. Order online or pick up your bottles in our store in Dordrecht. Need help choosing the right wine for dinner or advice on cellaring? Our sommeliers are happy to assist. Planning a visit? See Visit us.
Almost by chance, former Dutch racing driver Ben Pon (you know, from the Pon family, which is an importer of VW, Audi and Porsche, among others) acquired a piece of land on the Californian slopes behind Carmel Valley Village in 1989. Here he started his Bernardus Winery with the aim of producing wines that rival the greatest Bordeaux and Grand Crus.
The vineyards in the Carmel Valley are carefully planted with various grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc. While Bordeaux style varieties grow in vineyards in Carmel Valley, Chardonnay is cultivated in cool maritime climates, namely in the Monterey Bay. Grapes from other appellations in California are used to add nuances to the Bernardus blends.
The Bernardus Chardonnay Sierra Mar Vineyard has undergone a wood aging period of more than 15 months. The grapes for this gem are of course all harvested by hand so that only the best juice is used for this wine. Due to the long wood aging, the color is deep golden yellow. The scent is very special. The aromas of apple and pear form a beautiful interplay with hints of orange blossom, caramel and even some petroleum. The taste is full, thick and very diverse. At first we immediately recognize the Bernardus Chardonnay style, later this is transformed by special nuances of candied orange peel, cream, cinnamon and nutmeg. A perfect combination with the tropical fruit. The aftertaste is intense and long. Really a mouthful. This Chardonnay Bernardus Sierra Mar Vineyard is a Chardonnay for the advanced Chardonnay drinker. Full bodied, buttercotsch, but that in combination with the great acidity makes this almost Burgundian-looking Napa chardonnay.
Fact: only around 90-120 bottles of this wine come to the Netherlands every year.
| Packing information | Box |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Bernardus |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2023 |
| Drinking till | 2031 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 91 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Parker
Rating
91
Release Price
$40
Drink Date
2016 - 2019
Reviewed by
Jeb Dunnuck
Issue Date
28th Sep 2016
Source
Interim End of September 2016, The Wine Advocate
A clean, classy Chardonnay that offers lots of white peach, apple peel and hints of toast is the 2014 Chardonnay Sierra Mar. Medium-bodied, fresh and beautifully focused, with a crystalline feel, it's a terrific white to drink over the coming couple of years as well. There are just over 500 cases made and it's a good value.
Bernardus is owned by Ben Pon and is located in Carmel Valley. The wines have been made by Burgundy-trained Dean De Korth since 2005. Most of these are made in small quantities and the quality appears to be on the upswing.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Bernardus Winery is located in Carmel Valley, where ocean fog and Californian sunshine take turns throughout the day. The estate is known for wines with freshness and depth. Sometimes serious, sometimes playfully surprising. The long growing season gives the grapes plenty of time to build flavor. And you can taste it.
Location and climate
Carmel Valley sits just a few kilometres from the cool Monterey coastline. You notice it immediately when the ocean breeze rolls in and temperatures drop in an instant. This daily cooling slows ripening and adds nuance to the fruit. Warm and sunny during the day, yet cool enough in the evening to reach for a jacket. That contrast is exactly what makes Bernardus wines so vibrant.
Soils and terroir of Bernardus
The soils range from granite to loam and sand, a geological buffet that the vines happily make use of. Deep rooting leads to concentration and structure. The Bordeaux varieties thrive in the warmer parcels. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir prefer the cooler spots. It is almost as if every grape has its own favourite microclimate, and Bernardus ensures they all feel at home.
Grape varieties and vineyard management
Bernardus works with estate vineyards and supplements with fruit from top growers in Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco. All with one goal: only the best grapes enter the cellar. Harvesting is done by hand, which not only preserves quality but also provides an excellent workout for the team. Low yields mean more concentration. Fewer grapes, more flavour.
Winemaking and style at Bernardus
The red wines ferment slowly and then mature in French barriques. Not too much, not too little. Just enough to add depth without masking the fruit. The style is ripe yet balanced, with soft tannins and clear structure.
The white wines are lively and energetic. Chardonnay is aged partly in oak and partly in stainless steel, resulting in a wine that is both fresh and rounded. A bit like yin and yang in your glass.
Bernardus' philosophy
Bernardus aims to create wines with elegance and tension. No excessive richness, no overripe fruit and certainly no vanilla overload. The European influence of founder Ben Pon is still unmistakable. The estate works with respect for the natural surroundings and remains committed to a style that focuses on balance. You can almost taste the approach: nothing overcomplicated, just genuinely well made wine.
Ordering at Grandcruwijnen
At Grandcruwijnen you will find a wide range of wines from Bernardus Winery. Everything is carefully stored and ready to ship. Order online or pick up your bottles in our store in Dordrecht. Need help choosing the right wine for dinner or advice on cellaring? Our sommeliers are happy to assist. Planning a visit? See Visit us.
