Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay

9.14 ratings
9.21 pro ratings
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Chardonnay
Top Notes For
Aravind A

Pop and pour yesterday. Yesterday, this was Cali chard in the style I am less fond of: big, buttery and slightly over the top (a far cry from the '17 we tasted at the winery); however, it was absolutely NOT flabby on the palate: with precise acidity and nice mouthfeel. Let this sit in the fridge overnight and this is an altogether different beast. Today: on the nose, still ripe, but loads of nice complexity shines through. Ripe citrus, stony minerality, soft mint notes, yum. On the palate: still fantastic cut, with laserlike acidity, balanced by serious richness. Some complex and lovely sweet citrus and wet stone follows the acid on a long, smooth finish. Yesterday, meh, today, stunning.

Pop and pour yesterday. Yesterday, this was Cali chard in the style I am less fond of: big, buttery and slightly over the top (a far cry from the '17 we tasted at the winery); however, it was absolutely NOT flabby on the palate: with precise acidity and nice mouthfeel. Let this sit in the fridge overnight and this is an altogether different beast. Today: on the nose, still ripe, but loads of nice complexity shines through. Ripe citrus, stony minerality, soft mint notes, yum. On the palate: still fantastic cut, with laserlike acidity, balanced by serious richness. Some complex and lovely sweet citrus and wet stone follows the acid on a long, smooth finish. Yesterday, meh, today, stunning.

1 person found it helpfulAug 18th, 2021
Ming L
9.3

Fruity, nutty, minerality. This has a bit of everything in a very harmonious way. Judicial use of oak. Medium body with round vivid acidity and great texture. Elegant saline finish.

One of the best Chard I’ve tasted in the sub $40 price.

Fruity, nutty, minerality. This has a bit of everything in a very harmonious way. Judicial use of oak. Medium body with round vivid acidity and great texture. Elegant saline finish.

One of the best Chard I’ve tasted in the sub $40 price.

1 person found it helpfulFeb 12th, 2021
Eric Urbani

Eric had this 6 years ago

Eric had this 6 years ago

Oct 4th, 2018
Johnny Dynh

Johnny had this 3 years ago

Johnny had this 3 years ago

Aug 11th, 2021