2021 Au Bon Climat Hildegard
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | , Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2034 |
In stock
37 items available
Description
The Hildegard 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. Hildegard is a tribute to the history of Burgundy and to Hildegard's husband, Charlemagne. The Au Bon Climat Hildegard is a special blend and consists of 50% Pinot Gris, 40% Pinot Blanc and 10% Aligoté. The characteristic Hildegard aromas of melon, pear, white flowers and ground chalk are beautifully integrated. The taste profile follows this with an extra touch of butterscotch, from the maturation. A wine with richness and length. Rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast and Parker and 94 points by Vinous.
Winemaker's Notes
Chardonnay wasn’t always grown in the Corton Charlemagne wine region of France. During the reign of King Charlemagne, it’s thought that Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté were the primary crops grown, rather than Chardonnay. This intrigued Jim Clendenen enough that in 1998 he created the first Hildegard blend at Au Bon Climat, named after Charlemagne’s wife. It was a success from the start, and they’ve continued to do so ever since.
To get the best of everything, this unique blend undergoes a long maturation (22 months) in new oak barrels from François Frères, which makes for something special. The wine has a texture, complexity and unique character that cannot be found in a single white grape variety. Each grape variety is hand-harvested, fermented and individually matured in new oak. After 2 years, the wines are carefully blended and released under the name Hildegard.
Background story
A wine named after an empress must be refined. Hildegard is a tribute to the history of Burgundy and to Hildegard’s husband, Charlemagne. During his reign in the early 800s, viticulture received a huge boost. Since its first vintage in 1998, Hildegard has been a Burgundy-inspired, masterful blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté, fermented and matured in new oak barrels from François Frères. By combining these three lesser-known grape varieties and giving them all the attention they need, the result is a wine that is more than the sum of its parts. The wine is reminiscent of a premium Chardonnay with a fruity profile, but has a character all its own.
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.
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. This wine comes from the Historic Vineyard collection. As the official exclusive importer of Au Bon Climat, we of course carry these wines.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Central Coast |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Aligote, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris |
| 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 |
| Parker rating | 92 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Rond, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Borrelen, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Voor alledag |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 92
Reviewed by:
Erin Brooks
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2034
The 2021 Hildegard, a blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Aligote, was matured in 100% new French oak for 24 months. Its youthful, exuberant toast and allspice give way to a deep core of peach and red apple, plus nuances of bread dough and cashew. The medium-bodied palate offers savory flavors, balances vibrant acidity with a silky texture and finishes long and youthfully leesy. It drinks wonderfully on its own but will also pair widely at the table.
Published: Dec 29, 2023
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
From: Brilliance in Santa Barbara (Sep, 2023)
The 2021 White Hildegard Estate is fabulous. The blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté works so well here. Citrus confit, white flowers, apricot, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes all grace this wonderfully expressive edition of the Hildegard. There is a touch of reduction on the finish, but it is more nuanced than dominant. This is a fine edition of the Hildegard.
- 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...
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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 Hildegard 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. Hildegard is a tribute to the history of Burgundy and to Hildegard's husband, Charlemagne. The Au Bon Climat Hildegard is a special blend and consists of 50% Pinot Gris, 40% Pinot Blanc and 10% Aligoté. The characteristic Hildegard aromas of melon, pear, white flowers and ground chalk are beautifully integrated. The taste profile follows this with an extra touch of butterscotch, from the maturation. A wine with richness and length. Rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast and Parker and 94 points by Vinous.
Winemaker's Notes
Chardonnay wasn’t always grown in the Corton Charlemagne wine region of France. During the reign of King Charlemagne, it’s thought that Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté were the primary crops grown, rather than Chardonnay. This intrigued Jim Clendenen enough that in 1998 he created the first Hildegard blend at Au Bon Climat, named after Charlemagne’s wife. It was a success from the start, and they’ve continued to do so ever since.
To get the best of everything, this unique blend undergoes a long maturation (22 months) in new oak barrels from François Frères, which makes for something special. The wine has a texture, complexity and unique character that cannot be found in a single white grape variety. Each grape variety is hand-harvested, fermented and individually matured in new oak. After 2 years, the wines are carefully blended and released under the name Hildegard.
Background story
A wine named after an empress must be refined. Hildegard is a tribute to the history of Burgundy and to Hildegard’s husband, Charlemagne. During his reign in the early 800s, viticulture received a huge boost. Since its first vintage in 1998, Hildegard has been a Burgundy-inspired, masterful blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté, fermented and matured in new oak barrels from François Frères. By combining these three lesser-known grape varieties and giving them all the attention they need, the result is a wine that is more than the sum of its parts. The wine is reminiscent of a premium Chardonnay with a fruity profile, but has a character all its own.
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.
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. This wine comes from the Historic Vineyard collection. As the official exclusive importer of Au Bon Climat, we of course carry these wines.
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Central Coast |
| Winery | Au Bon Climat |
| Grape | Aligote, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris |
| 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 |
| Parker rating | 92 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Rond, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Borrelen, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Voor alledag |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 92
Reviewed by:
Erin Brooks
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2034
The 2021 Hildegard, a blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Aligote, was matured in 100% new French oak for 24 months. Its youthful, exuberant toast and allspice give way to a deep core of peach and red apple, plus nuances of bread dough and cashew. The medium-bodied palate offers savory flavors, balances vibrant acidity with a silky texture and finishes long and youthfully leesy. It drinks wonderfully on its own but will also pair widely at the table.
Published: Dec 29, 2023
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
From: Brilliance in Santa Barbara (Sep, 2023)
The 2021 White Hildegard Estate is fabulous. The blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté works so well here. Citrus confit, white flowers, apricot, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes all grace this wonderfully expressive edition of the Hildegard. There is a touch of reduction on the finish, but it is more nuanced than dominant. This is a fine edition of the Hildegard.
- 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!