Clendenen Family
This not just another label, it was a project of passion for winemaker/owner Jim Clendenen. These are artisan, small lots of distinctive wines where commerce is not the driving force. These wines have the luxury to be in barrel as long as they need it (5 years for the Nebbiolo!). Wines that are nuanced, long lived, food-friendly, with firm acidities, and moderate alcohol. For older vintages, see menu.
A worthy little brother to our CFV "Le Bon Climat" Chard at half the price. This is a curvaceous wine offering apple, stone fruit and subtle tropical fruit aromas and flavors underscored by minerality.
Styled to emphasize the fruit from the noted Le Bon Climat vineyard, the Pip Chard is a great value. This is a curvaceous wine offering apple, stone fruit and subtle tropical fruit aromas and flavors underscored by minerality.
Delicious! This bright, deep red has a varietal aroma of rose petal and ripe strawberries joined by flavors of Maraschino cherries with a hint of tart pomegranate giving an impression of good acidity and structure, though so very drinkable. The resulting wine is mouth filling and complex.
Exquisite. This is a serious Chenin Blanc showing classic quince and crisp apple-like flavors that are beautifully stated. Barrel fermentation in neutral french oak barrels until dry, compliments the intriguing minerality and firm acidity. Reminiscent of a Grand Cru Chablis.
Sophisticated yet engaging. A soft blush color with delicate aromas of ripe wild strawberry and watermelon makes this enticing and oh-so-drinkable. Dry with complex flinty notes. Try this wine as an aperitif, or match with calamari, tuna salad nicoise, or chicken curry.
Elegant and complex. A crisp, dry, floral white with aromas of green almond, honey and honey suckle, and flavors of apple and pear. Never had it before? Try it. You won't be disappointed! Ideal with shellfish and sole meuniere. Scored 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
A deep, layered red with aromas and flavors of plums, dried roses and earth. Four years barrel age brought all the components together harmoniously. Balance between the richness, the bright acidity, and moderated tannins, make this wine a versatile food wine. Scored 92 points VinePair and one of the "The Best 50 Wines of 2021".
When you age a wine for over 4 years in barrel, you make sure the fruit is the finest every year. This deep red has aromas and flavors of plums, cherry and dried roses with a wonderful balance between the richness of fruit and complexity of age. Serve with a pork or lamb roast, or smoked turkey.
This is our “reserve” Nebbiolo utilizing Old World techniques including 72 months in French oak barrels. Classic Nebbiolo notes of spiced cherries, licorice, and new leather give way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, seamless wine that reminiscent of a Barolo. Stunning. It should evolve nicely for at least a decade.
This is the pink-skinned cousin of Grenache Blanc, that is grown in the south of France. It creates an easy drinking wine that has massive appeal, with structure and flavors not unlike an expensive White Hermitage with its stone fruit aromas. From Jim's estate in Los Alamos, the fruit is barrel fermented and aged briefly 8 months in neutral french oak.
