2020 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2030 |
In stock
19 items available
Description
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.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Central Coast |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2030 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Rond, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Borrelen, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Voor alledag |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 93+
Reviewed by:
Erin Brooks
Opening with touches of flint, toast and exotic spices over a core of baked apples and floral perfume, the 2017 Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge is medium-bodied and silky. It bursts with savory flavors, enlivened by energetic acidity and mineral touches, and it finishes very long. What a lovely dichotomy of rich aromas and flavors with a bright, lively structure. 600 cases produced.
Published: Oct 30, 2020
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Vinous
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Wijnhuis
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 "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.
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Central Coast |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Chardonnay |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2030 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Rond, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Borrelen, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Voor alledag |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 93+
Reviewed by:
Erin Brooks
Opening with touches of flint, toast and exotic spices over a core of baked apples and floral perfume, the 2017 Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge is medium-bodied and silky. It bursts with savory flavors, enlivened by energetic acidity and mineral touches, and it finishes very long. What a lovely dichotomy of rich aromas and flavors with a bright, lively structure. 600 cases produced.
Published: Oct 30, 2020
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
No written review available.
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!