2020 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge

The Chardonnay "Nuits-Blanches au Bouge" from the Santa Maria Valley 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. This lively wine delivers a powerful citrus experience. Layers of oak, macadamia nuts and vanilla are followed by hints of lemon peel. Flavors of grapefruit, kumquat and yuzu remain present on the palate. The high acidity harmonizes beautifully with the influence of new French oak, which promises great aging potential.

Winemaker's Notes
The grapes for the “Nuits-Blanches” Chardonnay traditionally come from the best parts of the “K Block” of the Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. This “K Block” is one of the original parts of the vineyard, planted in 1973, and yields the best quality. Planted with UC Davis clone 4, this clone produces grapes with a low pH and a ripe sugar balance in the cool climate of the Santa Maria Valley. A low pH improves the Chardonnay’s ripeness, oak integration and food pairing suitability. In addition, this wine also contains a small amount of Le Bon Climat Chardonnay, planted with Dijon clones 76 and 96, which adds extra complexity and texture.

The Chardonnay matured slowly through a cool harvest period, after which the grapes were hand-harvested at optimum acidity. After pressing, the wine was fermented in 100% new French oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged on lees for a year and then transferred to barrels for a further 8 months of maturation.

Background story
Au Bon Climat began making Nuits-Blanches in 1996, when Jim Clendenen decided to highlight the exceptional quality of the Bien Nacido Vineyard grapes. The grapes were picked later, sorted more carefully, and the wine was aged longer in barrel than the house’s other Chardonnays. The Nuits-Blanches style is richer and more oak-influenced. Each vintage of Nuits-Blanches is given a title; in 2021, “Foresight” was chosen to signify a new decade and a new generation.

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.