2022 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard

Au Bon Climat and the early years in Los Alamos Valley

Au Bon Climat was founded in Santa Barbara County in the early 1980s and has since become a fixture in the California wine world. In 1982, the first Au Bon Climat wine was made in a small barn on the Los Alamos Vineyard property. Although the winery later relocated, the connection to this vineyard has always remained.

This long-standing partnership is a key element of Au Bon Climat's identity. Founder Jim Clendenen recognized early on the potential of the cooler parts of the Central Coast for Burgundian grape varieties, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir playing a central role. To this day, Isabella and Knox Clendenen continue this vision, with Jim Adelman as a permanent fixture in the cellar.

Au Bon Climat's slogan, "An homage to the wines of Burgundy," sums it up perfectly. This wine comes from the Historic Vineyard collection. This collection originally represented five iconic vineyards that were essential in increasing the recognition of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Central Coast. Today, ABC's Historic Collection includes wines from the Los Alamos, Bien Nacido, Talley, and Sanford & Benedict vineyards. These established vineyards allow for wines of great intensity and character. As the official exclusive importer of Au Bon Climat, we naturally carry these wines.

Location and climate of Los Alamos Valley

Los Alamos Valley is nestled between the warmer Santa Ynez Valley and the cooler Santa Maria Valley. This location creates a unique microclimate that facilitates both ripeness and freshness. The region has had its own distinct identity for over forty years, but remarkably, it still lacks an official appellation.

The vineyards are partly situated on flat soils, but the best grapes come from the higher slopes of the Solomon Hills. Here, constant wind and shallow soils ensure low yields and early ripening. The grapes have to work hard, resulting in concentration, tension, and a clear structure in the wine.

Historic Vineyards Collection from Au Bon Climat

The Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard is part of Au Bon Climat's Historic Vineyards Collection. This selection honors vineyards that played a key role in the development of Burgundian grape varieties on the California coast.

Within this collection, the emphasis is on provenance and recognizability. The wines demonstrate how terroir, climate, and long-standing collaborations converge to create a distinct style. Los Alamos Vineyard holds a special place in this collection due to its historical significance for the winery.

Grape variety and composition of the wine

The 2022 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard is made from 100% Chardonnay. The focus is on purity and vineyard expression. By using only Chardonnay, the character of the vineyard shines through, without the influence of other varietals.

The grapes were harvested on September 10, 2022. Due to the higher altitude and the influence of the wind, the grapes ripen earlier here, but retain their fresh acidity. This forms the basis for the lively style of this wine.

Harvest and vinification at Au Bon Climat

All the grapes for this Chardonnay were harvested by hand and pressed whole. This method ensures gentle extraction and preserves finesse. After pressing, the juice was transferred to oak barrels for fermentation.

The wine underwent both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel. This contributes to the creamy texture and ensures the integration of fruit and oak. During aging, the wine was carefully monitored to maintain the balance between freshness and maturity.

Maturation in French oak and sur lie maturation

The 2022 Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard was aged for sixteen months on its lees in François Frères French oak barrels. Approximately one-third of the barrels were new. This moderate use of new oak gives the wine structure and depth, without overpowering the vineyard's character.

The extended sur lie aging contributes to a full mouthfeel and a soft texture. At the same time, the acidity remains vibrant, thanks in part to the cool climate and the vineyard's windy location. The wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%, an acidity of 7.2 g/l, and a pH of 3.35.

Color, aroma and taste of the 2022 Chardonnay

In the glass, the wine displays a clear, light golden yellow color. The aroma opens with a clean, mineral note reminiscent of wet limestone. This is followed by aromas of white peach, creamsicle, and fresh lime. With a little air, subtle tropical notes develop.

The palate is round and supple, with a distinct core of freshness. Tropical fruits like pineapple and a hint of coconut give the wine a recognizable Los Alamos signature. The texture is slightly viscous, yet remains balanced by the high acidity and mineral tension. The finish is long and clean.

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If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send this to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. https://www.grandcruwijnen.nl/bezoek-ons You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. https://www.grandcruwijnen.nl/sommy

Wine and food pairings with the 2022 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay from Los Alamos Vineyard

Creamy risotto with roasted pumpkin complements the soft texture and ripe fruit of the wine.

Baked halibut with a light citrus sauce enhances the fresh acidity and mineral tension.

Arugula salad with mango, avocado and a mild dressing combines well with the tropical notes.

Grilled chicken with lemon and thyme fits the balance between freshness and roundness.

Pasta with cream sauce, fennel and a hint of citrus peel complements the aromatic layering beautifully.

Pan-fried scallops with cauliflower cream and a light butter sauce work well with the creaminess and clean finish.

Tasting notes
The Au Bon Climat Chardonnay from Los Alamos Vineyard is characterized by remarkable purity. Enjoy the initial aroma of wet limestone, which seamlessly transitions into refined notes of white peach, ice cream, and lime. This Chardonnay has a rounded structure and lingering tropical notes.

Winemaker's Notes
The Los Alamos vineyard covers approximately 500 planted acres, most of which is located on the flatlands of the Los Alamos Valley, nestled between the warmer Santa Ynez Valley and the cooler Santa Maria Valley. The vineyard's best grapes grow north on the gentle slopes of the Solomon Hills. On this hilltop, the wind and shallow soils result in low yields, and the grapes struggle to ripen. Despite this challenge, the small harvest ripens early. The grapes are harvested by hand, pressed whole, and barreled. The wine is aged for 16 months on lees in French François Frères oak barrels, 33% of which are new.

Background story
Au Bon Climat and the Los Alamos vineyard share a long history. Au Bon Climat's first winery was a small barn on the Los Alamos vineyard property in 1982. Since then, the vineyard has changed hands several times, and Au Bon Climat moved from this property in 1989. Most of the Los Alamos owners were interested in farming cheaply and producing high yields, which was less appealing to Au Bon Climat. In 2004, the care of this vineyard was "handed over" to Tavo Acosta, a new generation of winemakers in the Santa Maria region, driven to grow the best grapes for the finest wines. This new approach is more intensive and expensive than previous methods, but the difference in quality is significant. Improvements at the Los Alamos vineyard continue and remain an important part of the Au Bon Climat portfolio.

FACT: In the "Attachments" tab, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order it. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount . You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.