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.
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is one of the great vineyards of the world. The "30th Celebration" vintage was so good, we created a 31st! 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. Scored 95 points Jeb Dunnuck; 95 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 94 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
Positively stellar. Rich, textured and yet also striking for its detail. Lemon confit, pineapple, mint and new oak all resonate in this super-classic Santa Maria Chardonnay. Score: 95 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; 95 points Wine & Spirits Magazine; 95 points Jeb Dunnuck; 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Big, rich, creamy. To celebrate our 35th anniversary only the best will do! The fruit is from the best cuvees of Bien Nacido and Le Bon Climat Chardonnay aged in specially crafted, Francois Freres oak barrels for an extended time. Worth every penny! only 250 cases made. Score 94 points Antonio Galloni's Vinous; Score 91 points** Connoisseurs' Guide to CA Wine.
This is our second "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. Scored 90 points Wine & Spirits Magazine.
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.
Great value! This barrel fermented, full bodied Chardonnay has mouth filling citrus fruit and a palate cleansing, bright finish. It will become richer and more complex with age.
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.
The 2017 is one of our best vintages. Rich and powerful, this well structured wine has a darker ruby hue as well as a beautiful nose of cherry, dried cranberry, earthy forest floor, ground herbs, smoked earth. Named after Jim Clendenen's son.
Just released, Isabelle is a knockout every vintage. Why? It is comprised of only the best cuvees from 6 different vineyards. Consequently, it is consistently our top performing Pinot Noir year to year. Dried cherry, raspberry tart, spicy oak, and hints of earth and forest floor all emerge from the glass. Scored 96 points from Wine Enthusiast; 92 points from Wine & Spirits Magazine.
A wine worthy of celebrating Jim's 40th harvest! It is velvety textured, spicy, dark ruby colored Pinot and a product of 100% whole cluster fermentation with extensive fine barrel aging in heavily toasted, 100% new Francois Freres wood. Very “Old World” with soft tannins from stem inclusion.
