2023 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Santa Barbara County
| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2032 |
- Buy 6 for 29.95 24.75 each and save 14%
In stock
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Description
This is a Chardonnay with an intelligent and perfectly dosed wood aging. The winemaker Jim Clendenen is a wonderful and very sensitive winemaker who is especially world famous for his work on terroir identification in California, for the planting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The man did groundbreaking historical research into Burgundy from the 'pre-Chardonnay' era, when white Burgundies were made from Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté. His wines are an ode to minerals, have an exceptional depth and are of an absolute world class.
The Santa Barbara County line of Au Bon Climat wines are terroir driven. Santa Barbara County has the climate and terroir to produce balanced and vibrant wines. This wine continues to evolve from delicious and fresh upon release to a richer, more complex wine with age. The Chardonnay grapes are carefully hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. After harvest, the grapes are whole bunch pressed and the juice is quickly settled and cooled to begin barrel fermentation. The wine is dry and completes malo-lactic fermentation and is aged in oak barrels for approximately one year.
This is the 41st vintage of Santa Barbara County Chardonnay. Au Bon Climat has been making balanced, long-lived, food-friendly Chardonnays ever since. Even in the early 2000s, when ripe, oaked Chardonnays were all the rage, Au Bon Climat stuck to a more subtle and refined style, with minerality and intensity. This wine is consistently top of its class and one of the best values available. The winemaking protocol has changed little in forty years; they still handcraft wines in small batches using the same fundamental, time-tested techniques. The result is a
fruit forward, well structured Chardonnay of finesse worth double the price.
The Au Bon Climat sticks to a more subtle and refined style, with minerality and intensity chardonnay and is not a blockbuster or butter bomb as has been seen in Napa Valley for a while. The Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a great example of the Au Bon Climat style. The fiery, stony aromas stand out, while in the background there is a hard spicy note from the aged barrel aging. There are hints of lime and soft vanilla. On first taste it is irresistible. When young this wine is perfect with shellfish or poultry. It will improve with at least 10 years and then try this with a risotto funghi and be surprised.
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 | 2023 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Tier Price |
| Parker rating | 93 |
| 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:
Matthew Luczy
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2032
While decidedly a more hands-on style than many contemporaries, the 2022 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard offers an alternate but timeless viewpoint on this historic site through a sumptuous, harmonious and ultimately pleasing style. Rich, spice-driven aromas of cinnamon, macadamia nuts and white chocolate foreshadow a rich, plush, decent palate that finishes with a delicious punch and incredible length, concluding with salted caramel and butterscotch notes.
The passing of Jim Clendenen in 2021 was a seismic event in the Santa Barbara County wine world. Much of the region's international relevance and renown can be attributed directly to the success of Au Bon Climat, itself the product of Clendenen's unwavering exuberance and enthusiasm. Now a second-generation winery under the stewardship of Isabella and Knox Clendenen, winemaking operations are still overseen by General Manager Jim Adelman, as they have been for the past three decades. This consistency is clearly displayed in the latest releases, which continue the tradition of toasty, rich Chardonnays and pleasantly rustic Pinot Noirs, all of which see long élevages in large-format François Frères barrels.
Published: Oct 10, 2024
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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!
This is a Chardonnay with an intelligent and perfectly dosed wood aging. The winemaker Jim Clendenen is a wonderful and very sensitive winemaker who is especially world famous for his work on terroir identification in California, for the planting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The man did groundbreaking historical research into Burgundy from the 'pre-Chardonnay' era, when white Burgundies were made from Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté. His wines are an ode to minerals, have an exceptional depth and are of an absolute world class.
The Santa Barbara County line of Au Bon Climat wines are terroir driven. Santa Barbara County has the climate and terroir to produce balanced and vibrant wines. This wine continues to evolve from delicious and fresh upon release to a richer, more complex wine with age. The Chardonnay grapes are carefully hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. After harvest, the grapes are whole bunch pressed and the juice is quickly settled and cooled to begin barrel fermentation. The wine is dry and completes malo-lactic fermentation and is aged in oak barrels for approximately one year.
This is the 41st vintage of Santa Barbara County Chardonnay. Au Bon Climat has been making balanced, long-lived, food-friendly Chardonnays ever since. Even in the early 2000s, when ripe, oaked Chardonnays were all the rage, Au Bon Climat stuck to a more subtle and refined style, with minerality and intensity. This wine is consistently top of its class and one of the best values available. The winemaking protocol has changed little in forty years; they still handcraft wines in small batches using the same fundamental, time-tested techniques. The result is a
fruit forward, well structured Chardonnay of finesse worth double the price.
The Au Bon Climat sticks to a more subtle and refined style, with minerality and intensity chardonnay and is not a blockbuster or butter bomb as has been seen in Napa Valley for a while. The Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a great example of the Au Bon Climat style. The fiery, stony aromas stand out, while in the background there is a hard spicy note from the aged barrel aging. There are hints of lime and soft vanilla. On first taste it is irresistible. When young this wine is perfect with shellfish or poultry. It will improve with at least 10 years and then try this with a risotto funghi and be surprised.
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 | 2023 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2032 |
| Alcohol % | 13.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Tier Price |
| Parker rating | 93 |
| 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:
Matthew Luczy
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2032
While decidedly a more hands-on style than many contemporaries, the 2022 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard offers an alternate but timeless viewpoint on this historic site through a sumptuous, harmonious and ultimately pleasing style. Rich, spice-driven aromas of cinnamon, macadamia nuts and white chocolate foreshadow a rich, plush, decent palate that finishes with a delicious punch and incredible length, concluding with salted caramel and butterscotch notes.
The passing of Jim Clendenen in 2021 was a seismic event in the Santa Barbara County wine world. Much of the region's international relevance and renown can be attributed directly to the success of Au Bon Climat, itself the product of Clendenen's unwavering exuberance and enthusiasm. Now a second-generation winery under the stewardship of Isabella and Knox Clendenen, winemaking operations are still overseen by General Manager Jim Adelman, as they have been for the past three decades. This consistency is clearly displayed in the latest releases, which continue the tradition of toasty, rich Chardonnays and pleasantly rustic Pinot Noirs, all of which see long élevages in large-format François Frères barrels.
Published: Oct 10, 2024
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!