Description
Clendenen Family Vineyards Chardonnay Le Bon Climat 2009
Au Bon Climat is a Californian estate with an international reputation for its Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines made predominantly in Santa Barbara County. Owner-winemaker Jim Clendenen was one of the best-known figures in the American wine industry.
The estate consists of the Le Bon Climat vineyard and plantings in the Bien Nacido Vineyard, both in Santa Maria Valley. However, Au Bon Climat also sources grapes from several other highly regarded vineyards, including Sanford & Benedict in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County, and Talley Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County.
The portfolio is led by a range of single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, made from Au Bon Climat’s various vineyards. This is underpinned by wines from the wider Santa Barbara County AVA, including a Pinot Gris Pinot Blanc blend and the Hildegard cuve which combines these two varieties with Aligot.
Critical Acclaim
94 Wine Enthusiast
Suave aromas of browned butter, preserved lemons and seared nectarine surround alkalinity on this purely-for-the-love side project of Jim Clendenen. The edges of the palate are lush and rich with vanilla cream, roasted nuts and butter, but the center holds laser-tight to singed lemon acidity before a finish that shows some marshmallow and nutmeg spice. The wine seems to be peaking now.
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