2021 Bernardus Chardonnay Sierra Mar Vineyard

Type of Wine | White |
---|---|
Country | USA |
Region | |
Appellation | |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2021 |
Grape | |
Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
Drink window | 2023 - 2031 |
Low Stock
Only 5 left
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
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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Wijnhuis
Bernardus makes dreams come true.
Almost by chance, the former Dutch racing driver Ben Pon (you know the Dutch 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 red 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 the Bordeaux style varieties grow in the Carmel Valley vineyards, the Chardonnay is cultivated in cool maritime climates, namely in the Monterey Bay. Grapes from other California appellations are used to add nuances to the Bernardus blends.
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.
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 makes dreams come true.
Almost by chance, the former Dutch racing driver Ben Pon (you know the Dutch 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 red 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 the Bordeaux style varieties grow in the Carmel Valley vineyards, the Chardonnay is cultivated in cool maritime climates, namely in the Monterey Bay. Grapes from other California appellations are used to add nuances to the Bernardus blends.