Au Bon Climat
Distinctive wines of vision and harmony. An homage to Burgundy, Au Bon Climat features many renditions of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc, with balance and character critical elements in every wine. These wines age beautifully because of their balance and restraint. For older vintages or large format bottles, see menu.
The 2016 is richer than previous versions showing dried cranberry/berry fruit with earth and tobacco notes. The body is medium weight yet carries immense waves of flavors, including sarsaparilla, pomegranate and smoke. A well integrated wine that is superb now. For true burgundian fans. Scored 90 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous.
A refreshing, dry, blended white with citrus lemon/lime notes, flinty minerality, and crisp finish. It is richer than most light whites, yet so easy drinking! Great summer sippin' or match with shellfish, roast chicken, turkey or duck.
An unusual but regal blend of 55% Pinot Gris, 40% Pinot Blanc and 5% Aligoté meant to recreate Burgundy's fabled Charlemagne vineyard in Medieval times. Bright and finely cut, Hildegard shows another side to Jim Clendenen's magic touch. Lemon peel, white flowers, white pepper and crushed rocks give the 2018 a striking aromatic top register to match its mid-weight personality. In a word: sublime. Scored 95 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 94 points Jeb Dunnuck; 93 points/Editor's Choice Wine Enthusiast; 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
After 2 decades we have returned to Oregon. This young Pinot is complete, supple, delicious now, but will age for years to come. It is loaded with aromas of ripe berries, both blackberries and strawberries. The underlying power and complexity are “under the surface” currently, but will be apparent soon. The 25% of stem inclusion gives the wine a nice spice note, not seen in Oregon Pinots. Scored 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate; 90 points Wine & Spirits Magazine
Very fruit forward and unctous, this Chardonnay is rich and complex with a tropical coconut, pineapple character. It shows abundant fruit, oak, and viscosity along with a nice mineral component. Beautiful. Enjoyable now or be rewarded with further aging. Score: 93 points Wine Enthusiast; 89*/GOOD VALUE - Connoisseurs' Guide to CA Wine.
This vineyard has hit its stride producing marvelous Chardonnays year after year. This is a subtle, beautifully understated wine with classic flavors of apple, citrus, caramel and vanilla that go on and on. Scored 94 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 94 points Jeb Dunnuck; 93 points/BEST BUY Wine & Spirits Magazine.
This vineyard has hit its stride producing marvelous Chardonnays year after year. The 2015 is just amazing right now. On the palate, classic Chardonnay flavors of apple, citrus and vanilla go on and on. Serve with shellfish, Cornish game hen, or alfredo pasta with lobster. Score 92 points Robert Parker.
This vineyard is known for Chardonnay with a flinty, crisp structure and complex nature. The 2018 is unusually forward yet well constructed, with a creamy, supple texture along with wonderfully expressive fruit. Drinking beautifully now. 92 points Wine Enthusiast.
Ample, creamy and super-expressive, with terrific textural nuance and tons of class. Clean mineral notes frame a core of ripe pear, jasmine and mint in a wine that deliver superb quality for the money. The delineation and sheer classiness of the 2017 is impossible to miss, as are the soft curves that give it so much allure. Scored 93 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 91 points Wine & Spirits Magazine.
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is one of the great vineyards of the world. Au Bon Climat has been making Chardonnay from this vineyard since the 1980 vintage. Differentiating it from our annual Sanford & Benedict bottling, we used specially handcrafted Francois Freres barrels, and gave it extended barrel age to create this remarkable wine. 135 cases produced. Score 96 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 91 points** Connoisseurs' Guide to CA Wine.
