Au Bon Climat Chardonnay “Los Alamos Vineyard”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Los Alamos Vineyard is roughly 500 planted acres, sandwiched between the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations.
- The best grapes from this vineyard are found to the north on the gentle slopes of the hills. Au Bon Climat sources grapes grown at the top of the wind-swept slopes of the Solomon Hills. On this hilltop the wind and shallower soils keep the yields low and the grapes struggle to ripen.
- Au Bon Climat and Los Alamos Vineyard share a lot of history. The first Au Bon Climat winery was a small barn on the Los Alamos Vineyard property back in 1982.
- With new ownership taking control of these vineyards in 2004, they have put an emphasis on quality over quantity. This newer farming practices are more hands on and expensive than the earlier methods, but the quality difference is huge.
- The improvements at Los Alamos vineyard are ongoing and this vineyard will be a large part of the Au Bon Climat portfolio going forward.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: 100% barrel fermented, completes malolactic fermentation, and aged 12 months on the lees in 100% new French François Frères barrels.
Tasting Notes: Abundant fruit with a slight tropical note backed by judicious oak. The fuller viscosity that is a signature of this region is joined by a nice mineral component and firm finish. While this wine seems to show almost infinite age ability, the wine drinks well today.
PRESS
2016 – 91 Wine Enthusiast
2017 – 93 Vinous
2019 – 90 Jeb Dunnuck | 92 Vinous
2020 – 92 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Beginning with the 1978 harvest, Jim Clendenen was assistant winemaker at Zaca Mesa Winery for three vintages, a valued training experience. In 1981 his vision broadened with three harvests in one year as Jim worked crush and directed the harvest at wineries in Australia and France. Three harvests in one year confirmed his masochistic tendencies.In 1982, Clendenen decided, along with Adam Tolmach, to start a winery dedicated to Burgundian varietals. Adam left in 1990 to pursue his own efforts leaving Jim solo at the helm.
Au Bon Climat (which means “a well exposed vineyard”) sources fruit from several of the most highly regarded vineyards in the Central Coast. These include Clendenen’s own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and estate plantings at the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard – both in Santa Maria Valley, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County), and San Luis Obispo County’s Talley Vineyard.The winery has cultivated an international reputation for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for his classically styled wines.