Region: California
Sub Region: Santa Maria Valley – Bien Nacido Vineyard
Variety: Chardonnay
Country: USA
Vintage: 2022
The Wine
Au Bon Climat has worked with Bien Nacido since Jim Clendenen established the winery in 1982, making this one of the defining relationships in Californian Chardonnay. The vineyard sits in the cool, wind-exposed Santa Maria Valley, where its east-west orientation funnels Pacific air inland and preserves acidity through a long growing season.
Bien Nacido’s calcareous and shale-derived soils, combined with the maritime climate, produce Chardonnay with citrus, mineral tension and naturally restrained ripeness. The wine forms part of Au Bon Climat’s Historic Vineyard Collection, sitting above the regional Chardonnay and focusing on a single, proven California site.
The 2022 was fermented and matured predominantly in new 350-litre French oak barrels. Despite the oak input, the wine remains taut and site-driven, with citrus peel, white flowers, pepper and crushed-rock minerality held within a firm, vibrant structure.
Cellared Says
This is old-school Californian Chardonnay in the best sense: Burgundy-inspired but unmistakably Santa Maria. Bien Nacido brings more mineral line and restraint than many richer Californian styles, while Au Bon Climat’s patient élevage gives it the structure to develop for a decade or more.
Reviews
“Citrus peel, white pepper, white flowers, mint and crushed rocks… taut and wonderfully vibrant.”
94 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Region: California
Sub Region: Santa Maria Valley – Bien Nacido Vineyard
Variety: Chardonnay
Country: USA
Vintage: 2022
The Wine
Au Bon Climat has worked with Bien Nacido since Jim Clendenen established the winery in 1982, making this one of the defining relationships in Californian Chardonnay. The vineyard sits in the cool, wind-exposed Santa Maria Valley, where its east-west orientation funnels Pacific air inland and preserves acidity through a long growing season.
Bien Nacido’s calcareous and shale-derived soils, combined with the maritime climate, produce Chardonnay with citrus, mineral tension and naturally restrained ripeness. The wine forms part of Au Bon Climat’s Historic Vineyard Collection, sitting above the regional Chardonnay and focusing on a single, proven California site.
The 2022 was fermented and matured predominantly in new 350-litre French oak barrels. Despite the oak input, the wine remains taut and site-driven, with citrus peel, white flowers, pepper and crushed-rock minerality held within a firm, vibrant structure.
Cellared Says
This is old-school Californian Chardonnay in the best sense: Burgundy-inspired but unmistakably Santa Maria. Bien Nacido brings more mineral line and restraint than many richer Californian styles, while Au Bon Climat’s patient élevage gives it the structure to develop for a decade or more.
Reviews
“Citrus peel, white pepper, white flowers, mint and crushed rocks… taut and wonderfully vibrant.”
94 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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