2019 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay K Block Bien Nacido Vineyard
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2034 |
In stock
21 items available
Description
The Chardonnay "K Block" Bien Nacido Vineyard is a wine from the Blue Series of Au Bon Climat. Blue series wines are the wines they like to show and are most proud of. The K Block" Bien Nacido is in one word - impressive. It is a rich, full, lush Chardonnay that shows muscle, but is super balanced. The acidity and fine structure keep the wine balanced and very elegant. Notes of oak blend nicely with baked apple, pear and candied lemon, which makes for a balanced aromas of butterscotch, hazelnut and toasted oak vanilla in the background. The texture and fruitiness are perfectly balanced with a bright acidity and a finish that tends towards classic notes of maple wood.
The Bien Nacido "K Block" Chardonnay comes from the vineyard's original 1973 Chardonnay plantings. The old vines give the wine a distinctive depth and balance. The grapes are harvested early to maintain freshness and are hand-picked and pressed whole to minimize tannin extraction. While we use Bien Nacido fruit in blends and other single-vineyard wines, this wine stands out for its unique style.
Adding complexity to the wine is the new 350-litre French oak barrels from François Frères, in which the wine is aged for 24 months. The wine is bottled unfiltered to ensure its purity. Discovered by Jim Clendenen during a Burgundian trip in 2013, these barrels play a crucial role with their subtle but influential wood character, which is perfectly matched by extended sur lie maturation. The larger barrels enhance the wine’s liveliness, while the extended contact with the wood contributes to its rich texture. The historic vines and expressive freshness of Bien Nacido make for a refined and powerful wine, which more than lives up to its status as a single-block selection.
With decades of experience, Au Bon Climat has turned the craft of Bien Nacido Chardonnay into an art. Through carefully selected vineyards, such as the exceptional K Block, a powerful yet balanced wine is created with creamy textures and a classic style.
The Chardonnay from the original 1973 plantings in K Block offers a wine with deep flavors and perfect balance. Thanks to an early harvest and a unique 24-month maturation in specially selected Burgundian barrels, this wine offers a lively, elegant experience. Ideal to pair with rich dishes such as lemon pepper carbonara, duck breast with citrus glaze, or pan-fried sea bass with a lemon and caper sauce.
About the Blue Series from Au Bon Climat
Blue Series wines are the wines they like to show and are most proud of. They are all made from the best cuvées from impressive vineyards and get the highest percentage of new French oak. Traditionally, the Blue Series includes a Chardonnay, "Nuits Blanche", a White Blend "Hildegard" and two Pinot Noirs, "Isabelle" and "Knox Alexander". The Blue Series also includes special bottlings such as "Larmes de Grappe" and Anniversary wines. As the official exclusive importer of Au Bon Climat, we of course carry these wines.
FACT: In the Tab: Attachment you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2034 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Professional Reviews
Wine Spectator
No written review available.
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2023 - 2029
From: Brilliance in Santa Barbara (Sep, 2023)
The 2021 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection is super-expressive right out of the gate. Orchard fruit, spice, white flowers and a touch of vanillin all race out of the glass. The 100% new oak is very nicely integrated. Suave, silky contours wrap it all together in style.
- By Antonio Galloni on July 2023
Au Bon Climat remains a reference point for Santa Barbara, perhaps THE reference point given the global reach these wines now enjoy. I have not seen too many changes here since Jim Clendenen passed away in early 2021, although most of these wines were made while he was still alive. The signatures are a fair amount of new oak for the Chardonnays, but often with a prominent use of large and thick-staved 350L barrels, and heavy use of whole clusters for the Pinots. The top selections often see extended time in wood. Of course, it all starts with sourcing at some of the very finest vineyards in Santa Barbara. Jim Clendenen influenced pretty much all of today’s younger generation, and that influence remains. Readers will find a number of compelling wines in this year’s crop of new releases.
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The brain behind the Au Bon Climat winery is Jim Clendenen. He was born in Akron, Ohio and graduated in law from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1976. During his studies he had his "junior year abroad" in 1974 in France where he discovered that life was more than just tacos.
After graduation, he spent both a month in Burgundy and Champagne, which convinced him to pursue a career in wine rather than pursuing a law degree. During the 1978 harvest, Jim Clendenen was an assistant winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery. He stayed there for 3 years and gained a great wealth of experience. In 1982 Clendenen, together with Adam Tolmach, decided to establish a winery with only Burgundian varieties of rented plots. In 1990 Adam left again and Jim took the helm solo. Through careful reinvestment from its own production, Au Bon Climat (meaning "a well-exposed vineyard") has grown to over 50,000 crates per year.
Au Bon Climat collects grapes from several vineyards on the California Central Coast, particularly Santa Barbara County, all of which are highly regarded. These include Clendenen's very own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and also grapes from the legendary Bien Nacido vineyard - both in Santa Maria Valley. Also grapes from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County) and Talley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County.
The winery has built an international reputation with its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, as they call it the "Mind Behind" Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for its classically styled wines. In 1989 and 1990, Au Bon Climat was on Robert Parker's shortlist of Best Wineries in the World and in 1991 was selected by Oz Clark as one of the 50 global creators of Modern Classic Wines. Dan Berger of the Los Angeles Times named Clendenen "Los Angeles Time Winemaker of the Year" in 1992; Food & Wine Magazine named him "Winemaker of the Year" in 2001. Germany's leading wine magazine Wein Gourmet named Clendenen "Winemaker of the World;" and in 2007 Jim was inducted into the James Beard Foundation's "Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America." There are many accolades, but Jim does not rest on his laurels. He is constantly looking to refine his profession and therefore leads the pack.
Au Bon Climat wines order online at Grand Cru wines
You can of course buy Au Bon Climat wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine trade with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium, where you can order both special wines and wines for every budget. Quality products, fast delivery & reliable service that is Grand Crus!
The Chardonnay "K Block" Bien Nacido Vineyard is a wine from the Blue Series of Au Bon Climat. Blue series wines are the wines they like to show and are most proud of. The K Block" Bien Nacido is in one word - impressive. It is a rich, full, lush Chardonnay that shows muscle, but is super balanced. The acidity and fine structure keep the wine balanced and very elegant. Notes of oak blend nicely with baked apple, pear and candied lemon, which makes for a balanced aromas of butterscotch, hazelnut and toasted oak vanilla in the background. The texture and fruitiness are perfectly balanced with a bright acidity and a finish that tends towards classic notes of maple wood.
The Bien Nacido "K Block" Chardonnay comes from the vineyard's original 1973 Chardonnay plantings. The old vines give the wine a distinctive depth and balance. The grapes are harvested early to maintain freshness and are hand-picked and pressed whole to minimize tannin extraction. While we use Bien Nacido fruit in blends and other single-vineyard wines, this wine stands out for its unique style.
Adding complexity to the wine is the new 350-litre French oak barrels from François Frères, in which the wine is aged for 24 months. The wine is bottled unfiltered to ensure its purity. Discovered by Jim Clendenen during a Burgundian trip in 2013, these barrels play a crucial role with their subtle but influential wood character, which is perfectly matched by extended sur lie maturation. The larger barrels enhance the wine’s liveliness, while the extended contact with the wood contributes to its rich texture. The historic vines and expressive freshness of Bien Nacido make for a refined and powerful wine, which more than lives up to its status as a single-block selection.
With decades of experience, Au Bon Climat has turned the craft of Bien Nacido Chardonnay into an art. Through carefully selected vineyards, such as the exceptional K Block, a powerful yet balanced wine is created with creamy textures and a classic style.
The Chardonnay from the original 1973 plantings in K Block offers a wine with deep flavors and perfect balance. Thanks to an early harvest and a unique 24-month maturation in specially selected Burgundian barrels, this wine offers a lively, elegant experience. Ideal to pair with rich dishes such as lemon pepper carbonara, duck breast with citrus glaze, or pan-fried sea bass with a lemon and caper sauce.
About the Blue Series from Au Bon Climat
Blue Series wines are the wines they like to show and are most proud of. They are all made from the best cuvées from impressive vineyards and get the highest percentage of new French oak. Traditionally, the Blue Series includes a Chardonnay, "Nuits Blanche", a White Blend "Hildegard" and two Pinot Noirs, "Isabelle" and "Knox Alexander". The Blue Series also includes special bottlings such as "Larmes de Grappe" and Anniversary wines. As the official exclusive importer of Au Bon Climat, we of course carry these wines.
FACT: In the Tab: Attachment you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2034 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Rijk, Rond, Vol, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard |
Wine Spectator
No written review available.
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2023 - 2029
From: Brilliance in Santa Barbara (Sep, 2023)
The 2021 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection is super-expressive right out of the gate. Orchard fruit, spice, white flowers and a touch of vanillin all race out of the glass. The 100% new oak is very nicely integrated. Suave, silky contours wrap it all together in style.
- By Antonio Galloni on July 2023
Au Bon Climat remains a reference point for Santa Barbara, perhaps THE reference point given the global reach these wines now enjoy. I have not seen too many changes here since Jim Clendenen passed away in early 2021, although most of these wines were made while he was still alive. The signatures are a fair amount of new oak for the Chardonnays, but often with a prominent use of large and thick-staved 350L barrels, and heavy use of whole clusters for the Pinots. The top selections often see extended time in wood. Of course, it all starts with sourcing at some of the very finest vineyards in Santa Barbara. Jim Clendenen influenced pretty much all of today’s younger generation, and that influence remains. Readers will find a number of compelling wines in this year’s crop of new releases.
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
The brain behind the Au Bon Climat winery is Jim Clendenen. He was born in Akron, Ohio and graduated in law from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1976. During his studies he had his "junior year abroad" in 1974 in France where he discovered that life was more than just tacos.
After graduation, he spent both a month in Burgundy and Champagne, which convinced him to pursue a career in wine rather than pursuing a law degree. During the 1978 harvest, Jim Clendenen was an assistant winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery. He stayed there for 3 years and gained a great wealth of experience. In 1982 Clendenen, together with Adam Tolmach, decided to establish a winery with only Burgundian varieties of rented plots. In 1990 Adam left again and Jim took the helm solo. Through careful reinvestment from its own production, Au Bon Climat (meaning "a well-exposed vineyard") has grown to over 50,000 crates per year.
Au Bon Climat collects grapes from several vineyards on the California Central Coast, particularly Santa Barbara County, all of which are highly regarded. These include Clendenen's very own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and also grapes from the legendary Bien Nacido vineyard - both in Santa Maria Valley. Also grapes from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County) and Talley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County.
The winery has built an international reputation with its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, as they call it the "Mind Behind" Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for its classically styled wines. In 1989 and 1990, Au Bon Climat was on Robert Parker's shortlist of Best Wineries in the World and in 1991 was selected by Oz Clark as one of the 50 global creators of Modern Classic Wines. Dan Berger of the Los Angeles Times named Clendenen "Los Angeles Time Winemaker of the Year" in 1992; Food & Wine Magazine named him "Winemaker of the Year" in 2001. Germany's leading wine magazine Wein Gourmet named Clendenen "Winemaker of the World;" and in 2007 Jim was inducted into the James Beard Foundation's "Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America." There are many accolades, but Jim does not rest on his laurels. He is constantly looking to refine his profession and therefore leads the pack.
Au Bon Climat wines order online at Grand Cru wines
You can of course buy Au Bon Climat wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine trade with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium, where you can order both special wines and wines for every budget. Quality products, fast delivery & reliable service that is Grand Crus!