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.
From new vines, the 2020 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'.
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.
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. Score 92 points Jeb Dunnuck; 91 points Wine & Spirits Magazine.
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.
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.
Great value! Even though the wine is on the young side, the wine is complex suggesting dried cherries, blackberries with a touch of Santa Maria brush. Surprisingly rich in the mouth. Worth twice the price.
A deep, layered red with aromas and flavors of plums, dried roses and earth. Five years barrel age brought all the compents together harmoniously. Balance between the richness, the bright acidity, and moderated tannins, make this wine a versatile food wine. Enjoy with grilled salmon, roast pork, or mushroom risotto.
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.
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.
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.
