Monday, August 19, 2024

Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, 2022

The final Chardonnay for our AWS National Tasting Project, this Santa Barbara Chardonnay sells for $26, and the winemaker, Jim Clendenen, says it will "age for at least another decade." This is my style of wine, and it is now on my buy list.

Brilliant, light straw color. White peaches, lemon zest, minerals and even a hint of flint. Good acidity and a long finish. The French oak barrels used for aging were mostly neutral but some spicy notes have been picked up from time spent maturing on its lees (spent yeast cells). Jim Clendenen is one of my favorite winemakers. I have enjoyed his Pinots and was glad to get a taste of his Chardonnay.

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