Clendenen Family
This not just another label, it is 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.
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.
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. Scored 90 points Jeb Dunnuck.
From new vines, the 2019 Aligote offers a lively, fresh fruit character of citrus, pear, with mineral and floral notes. It is dry and well structured. Here is a definite "porch pounder" - fantastic for warm weather, outdoor fish fries, and everyday sippin'. Scored 91 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Delicious! This bright, deep red has a varietal aroma of rose petal and ripe strawberries joined by flavors of Maraschino cherries with a mild note of pomegranate giving an impression of good acidity and structure though so very drinkable. The resulting wine is mouth filling and complex. Enjoy with grilled sausage or burgers.
Beautiful. Ripe black cherry, plum, spice, licorice, cedar and new leather are some of the many notes that emerge from this wine. It's creamy and ample in feel, with tons of richness and impeccable overall balance. Scored 96 points Wine Enthusiast; 93 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate; 91 points Wine Spectator; 91+ points Jeb Dunnuck.
A knockout - rich, creamy, balanced. For this limited edition Chard, the finest lots of Bien Nacido fruit were barrel fermented in super expensive, custom-made Francois Freres barrels. The style is more complex and intense than our ABC counterpart. Scored 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
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.
Spice and smoke accented dark berries and licorice on the highly fragrant nose.The addition of Viognier (10%) to the rich, deep Syrah lends a suppleness that makes this wine intriguing and enjoyable now.
A blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier aged 3 years in barrel, A gorgeous perfume of crushed blackberries, fresh violets, and earthy spice. The palate is rich, with a deep, lush Syrah character that makes this wine intriguing and enjoyable now. Scored 94 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
This is a serious Chenin Blanc - classic quince and crisp apple-like flavors are beautifully stated. It was fermented in neutral french oak barrels until dry, perfecting the structure to show off excellent richness and acidity. It was bottled early to capture the freshness. Exquisite.
