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.
Lush and attention grabbing. Powerful, with concentrated quince, pear tart and apple pastry flavors that are supported by fresh acidity. The richly spiced and cream-filled finish lingers with hints of dried green herbs. Two years in 100% new oak gives the wine many of its signatures, including a level of textural unctuousness that works beautifully here. Score 95 points Wine Enthusiast; Score 93 points Wine Spectator; Score 92 points Robert Parker; Score 92 points from Antonio Galloni Vinous; Score 90 points Connoisseur's Guide to CA Wine.
Great value! Miles above other Pinots in the same price category, this wine is a particularly wonderful vintage. It is deeply colored with aromas and flavors of strawberries and raspberries joined by anise and clove in mouth filling intensity.
This white blend is always fascinating, and this vintage's 50% Pinot Gris, 40% Pinot Blanc and 10% Aligoté combination offers warm rich aromas of hazelnut and crème brûlée that are cut by crushed chalk and lemon rind. It lands on the palate with a baked pastry warmth but then proves quite textural and taut with lime spray and herb flavors. Scored 94 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.; 91 points Jeb Dunnuck. BEST OF CLASS - Six Nation Wine Challenge.
This is our first "Runway Vineyard" Chardonnay and is it a beauty! Barrel fermented in new, specially coopered French oak. Rich, creamy, and long on the palate. Serve with lemon butter scallops or sole piccata.
This special vineyard provides amazing fruit, richness and depth! Deeply colored with aromas of cherry, underbrush, spice and dried rose petal carry through to a full palate and lingering finish. Enticing. 250 cases produced. Scored 95 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate; 92 points Jeb Dunnuck; 92 points Prince of Pinot.
This vineyard has hit its stride producing marvelous Chardonnays year after year. 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. Scored 94 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 93 points Jeb Dunnuck; 92 points Wine Spectator.
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 has hit its stride producing marvelous Chardonnays year after year. 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. Received a score of 92 points from Ken's Wine Guide.
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.
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.
