2023 Clendenen Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc Rancho La Cuna
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2028 |
In stock
42 items available
Description
Chenin Blanc, a versatile grape from France’s Loire Valley, caught the attention of Jim Clendenen. Known for his experiments with cool-climate wines on the central coast, Jim planted Chenin on a sunny slope in the Los Alamos Valley. In 2015, the Clendenen family planted Chenin Blanc at their Rancho La Cuna estate, known for its innovative, “cool” varieties. The first dry, barrel-fermented vintage was such a success that Jim expanded the vineyard. Known for its delightful fruity character and excellent food compatibility, the 2023 release marks the sixth vintage of Rancho La Cuna’s Chenin Blanc.
- Origin: Santa Barbara County
- Vineyard: Rancho La Cuna
- Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
- Wood aging: 8 months in François Frères French oak barrels
The Chenin Blanc comes from nine-year-old vines on our Rancho La Cuna estate in the Los Alamos Valley. The grapes are hand-harvested, whole-pressed, and fermented in François Frères oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is sulfured and rested “sur lie.” The wine is then returned to the barrel and aged for a total of 8 months in neutral French oak barrels before bottling.
Tasting notes
The Clendenen Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc Rancho La Cuna is a refined bouquet of wildflowers, quince paste and roasted chestnuts comes straight to the fore. The palate offers lingering notes of lemon mousse and orange blossom. This lively Chenin Blanc has a layered profile, with a firm acidity that hints at further complexity as the wine ages.
Dish combinations
This Chenin Blanc is best served with fresh dishes. Combine with a peach and burrata salad, a seafood risotto or smoked turkey.
FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Clendenen Family Vineyards |
| Grape | Chenin Blanc |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2028 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 91 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 91
Reviewed by:
Matthew Luczy
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2028
From vines planted in 2014, the 2023 Chenin Blanc Rancho La Cuna is flashy and tropical on the nose, with a succulent core of citrus and orchard fruits laced with jasmine accents. The palate is quite weighty and textural, with a ripe, phenolic finish framed by lifted salinity and a subtle chalkiness.
Published: Oct 10, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
95
Drinking Window
2023 - 2033
From: Santa Barbara: A Rare Bright Spot for California in 2020 (Aug 2022)
The 2018 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard is rich, ample and creamy, with all of the pedigree that is such a signature here. This fruit, from old vines in the K Block, is picked early to retain energy. Aging takes place in 100% 350-liter Francois Freres barrels for two years, the slightly larger size chosen to capture energy, while the longer period in wood builds texture. Its an approach that Jim Clendene honed to perfection, as witnessed in this gorgeous, striking Chardonnay. Lemon confit, marzipan, spice, chamomile and baked apple tart are all vivid in a Chardonnay that impresses with its oiliness, depth and sheer character.
- By Antonio Galloni on June 2022
This is a fabulous set of wines from Au Bon Climat. I admit, it’s hard today to taste wines Jim Clendenen made prior his passing last year. At the same time, these new releases provide fascinating insight into his stylistic choices across several vineyards and sites.
I have said this before, but I think it bears repeating. It's fascinating to taste the Au Bon Climat wines given how much Clendenen influenced many of today's leading young winemakers. Pretty much without exception, Clendenen's wines, especially the Chardonnays, are richer and more powerful, with greater oak influence and overall lushness. In general, the wines here are marked by a focus on a handful of top sites, many of which Clendenen made famous, a high percentage of new oak, but often with larger 350-liter barrels, long aging in wood, and a high amount of whole clusters in the Pinots. More than anything else, these wines are American treasures, legacies of one of this country's most inspired and inspiring winemakers.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Clendenen Family Vineyards
Clendenen Family Vineyards is a special project by Jim Clendenen, the iconic winemaker behind Au Bon Climat. While Au Bon Climat focuses on classic Burgundy-style wines, Clendenen Family Vineyards gave him the freedom to explore more experimental grape varieties and techniques, all while staying true to his philosophy of quality and terroir expression.
Jim Clendenen created this label as a platform for smaller, distinctive productions, allowing him to dive even deeper into his passion for winemaking. These wines are produced in limited quantities and reflect his personal vision.
Location and climate of Santa Barbara County
The unique geography of Santa Barbara County makes it one of the most fascinating wine regions in California. The valleys are oriented east to west, which allows cool ocean breezes to flow directly inland. This slows down the ripening process of the grapes, ensuring a perfect balance of freshness, aroma, and structure.
The vineyards used for Clendenen Family Vineyards, including plots from Bien Nacido and Rancho La Cuna, are highly regarded and consistently deliver grapes of outstanding quality.
The different wines of Clendenen Family Vineyards
What makes Clendenen Family Vineyards stand out is its diversity. Alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, less common varieties such as Nebbiolo, Barbera, Syrah, and Petit Verdot also play an important role. Traditional methods like whole-cluster fermentation, native yeast fermentation, and aging in high-quality French oak give these wines both depth and remarkable elegance.
Each bottle carries the story of the grape, the terroir, and the hand of a master winemaker.
Why choose Clendenen Family Vineyards wines
These wines are loved by wine enthusiasts who appreciate character, authenticity, and artisanal winemaking. They combine California’s generous fruit expression with European finesse — a rare balance. Many of the wines also have excellent aging potential, rewarding patience with even greater complexity. Jim Clendenen’s legacy, his commitment to quality, and his uncompromising vision make Clendenen Family Vineyards truly unique.
Order Clendenen Family Vineyards wines online?
You can easily order Clendenen Family Vineyards wines at Grandcruwijnen.com, the wine merchant with one of the largest selections in the Netherlands and Belgium. All bottles are stored in a conditioned Wine Warehouse, ensuring perfect preservation. If you choose the ‘Pick up’ option at checkout, you’ll immediately see the discount we offer for collecting your wines in Dordrecht.
Chenin Blanc, a versatile grape from France’s Loire Valley, caught the attention of Jim Clendenen. Known for his experiments with cool-climate wines on the central coast, Jim planted Chenin on a sunny slope in the Los Alamos Valley. In 2015, the Clendenen family planted Chenin Blanc at their Rancho La Cuna estate, known for its innovative, “cool” varieties. The first dry, barrel-fermented vintage was such a success that Jim expanded the vineyard. Known for its delightful fruity character and excellent food compatibility, the 2023 release marks the sixth vintage of Rancho La Cuna’s Chenin Blanc.
- Origin: Santa Barbara County
- Vineyard: Rancho La Cuna
- Variety: 100% Chenin Blanc
- Wood aging: 8 months in François Frères French oak barrels
The Chenin Blanc comes from nine-year-old vines on our Rancho La Cuna estate in the Los Alamos Valley. The grapes are hand-harvested, whole-pressed, and fermented in François Frères oak barrels. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is sulfured and rested “sur lie.” The wine is then returned to the barrel and aged for a total of 8 months in neutral French oak barrels before bottling.
Tasting notes
The Clendenen Family Vineyards Chenin Blanc Rancho La Cuna is a refined bouquet of wildflowers, quince paste and roasted chestnuts comes straight to the fore. The palate offers lingering notes of lemon mousse and orange blossom. This lively Chenin Blanc has a layered profile, with a firm acidity that hints at further complexity as the wine ages.
Dish combinations
This Chenin Blanc is best served with fresh dishes. Combine with a peach and burrata salad, a seafood risotto or smoked turkey.
FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Santa Barbara County |
| Winery | Clendenen Family Vineyards |
| Grape | Chenin Blanc |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2028 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 91 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 91
Reviewed by:
Matthew Luczy
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2024 - 2028
From vines planted in 2014, the 2023 Chenin Blanc Rancho La Cuna is flashy and tropical on the nose, with a succulent core of citrus and orchard fruits laced with jasmine accents. The palate is quite weighty and textural, with a ripe, phenolic finish framed by lifted salinity and a subtle chalkiness.
Published: Oct 10, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
95
Drinking Window
2023 - 2033
From: Santa Barbara: A Rare Bright Spot for California in 2020 (Aug 2022)
The 2018 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard is rich, ample and creamy, with all of the pedigree that is such a signature here. This fruit, from old vines in the K Block, is picked early to retain energy. Aging takes place in 100% 350-liter Francois Freres barrels for two years, the slightly larger size chosen to capture energy, while the longer period in wood builds texture. Its an approach that Jim Clendene honed to perfection, as witnessed in this gorgeous, striking Chardonnay. Lemon confit, marzipan, spice, chamomile and baked apple tart are all vivid in a Chardonnay that impresses with its oiliness, depth and sheer character.
- By Antonio Galloni on June 2022
This is a fabulous set of wines from Au Bon Climat. I admit, it’s hard today to taste wines Jim Clendenen made prior his passing last year. At the same time, these new releases provide fascinating insight into his stylistic choices across several vineyards and sites.
I have said this before, but I think it bears repeating. It's fascinating to taste the Au Bon Climat wines given how much Clendenen influenced many of today's leading young winemakers. Pretty much without exception, Clendenen's wines, especially the Chardonnays, are richer and more powerful, with greater oak influence and overall lushness. In general, the wines here are marked by a focus on a handful of top sites, many of which Clendenen made famous, a high percentage of new oak, but often with larger 350-liter barrels, long aging in wood, and a high amount of whole clusters in the Pinots. More than anything else, these wines are American treasures, legacies of one of this country's most inspired and inspiring winemakers.
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
Clendenen Family Vineyards
Clendenen Family Vineyards is a special project by Jim Clendenen, the iconic winemaker behind Au Bon Climat. While Au Bon Climat focuses on classic Burgundy-style wines, Clendenen Family Vineyards gave him the freedom to explore more experimental grape varieties and techniques, all while staying true to his philosophy of quality and terroir expression.
Jim Clendenen created this label as a platform for smaller, distinctive productions, allowing him to dive even deeper into his passion for winemaking. These wines are produced in limited quantities and reflect his personal vision.
Location and climate of Santa Barbara County
The unique geography of Santa Barbara County makes it one of the most fascinating wine regions in California. The valleys are oriented east to west, which allows cool ocean breezes to flow directly inland. This slows down the ripening process of the grapes, ensuring a perfect balance of freshness, aroma, and structure.
The vineyards used for Clendenen Family Vineyards, including plots from Bien Nacido and Rancho La Cuna, are highly regarded and consistently deliver grapes of outstanding quality.
The different wines of Clendenen Family Vineyards
What makes Clendenen Family Vineyards stand out is its diversity. Alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, less common varieties such as Nebbiolo, Barbera, Syrah, and Petit Verdot also play an important role. Traditional methods like whole-cluster fermentation, native yeast fermentation, and aging in high-quality French oak give these wines both depth and remarkable elegance.
Each bottle carries the story of the grape, the terroir, and the hand of a master winemaker.
Why choose Clendenen Family Vineyards wines
These wines are loved by wine enthusiasts who appreciate character, authenticity, and artisanal winemaking. They combine California’s generous fruit expression with European finesse — a rare balance. Many of the wines also have excellent aging potential, rewarding patience with even greater complexity. Jim Clendenen’s legacy, his commitment to quality, and his uncompromising vision make Clendenen Family Vineyards truly unique.
Order Clendenen Family Vineyards wines online?
You can easily order Clendenen Family Vineyards wines at Grandcruwijnen.com, the wine merchant with one of the largest selections in the Netherlands and Belgium. All bottles are stored in a conditioned Wine Warehouse, ensuring perfect preservation. If you choose the ‘Pick up’ option at checkout, you’ll immediately see the discount we offer for collecting your wines in Dordrecht.