Lemon yellow. Oak vanilla apple pear peach. Balanced to show the features coming from coast side. Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M+ Bitterness M Body M Finish M %
Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 18 @1613, Eva - BBQ, 260914-260915 — 8 days ago
Ventura. — a month ago
2016 opened at the right time — a month ago
Last bottles from a 6-pack. I had two bottles that were sadly riddled with EA, but the other four were sound.
This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.
65 semillon/ 34 Sauvignon Blanc/ 1 Muscadelle
Always love these, more so than most domestic Bordeaux Blanc style white wines, mostly because of the texture. Straw color in the glass. Quite the tropical aromatics (white peach, mango) but it’s not overpowering. The barrel ferment is apparent with the rounded profile on the palate…the vein of acidity that was there a few years ago is fading, so this showed even more opulent than normal. Honeyed lemon, guava, orange blossom but a backbone of sea salt and herbs snap the structure in place to show nice balance and a nod to Bordeaux. I’d recommend popping now and over the next couple years to enjoy the freshness. — 4 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several days. Consistent throughout. The 2018 pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bartlett pear, passion fruit, lanolin, honeysuckle and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and soooooo wooly. These Sandlands Chenin Blancs are fun with some age. Drink now through 2033. — 17 days ago
Delicious- fruity without being sweet but not dry. — a month ago
Very nice and classically Californian. Oak forward with cream followed by pear and a balancing touch of citrus. A little oakier than my favorites but still nice. You’ll like more if that’s your style. — 2 months ago
Drinking wonderfully! — 3 months ago
Starting to go through my 2019s. At almost 7yrs, if the others are similar to this bottle, this seemed at absolute peak drinking with plenty of time to enjoy.
UV-SL has, for me, been one I normally open on the younger side as I enjoy the natural opulent and pure fruit tbh at the site can give. Lovely yellow with a tinge of green still showing in the glass. Everything about this wine showed what made me fall in love with Aubert…big aromatics of white peach, roasted nuts, honeysuckle, nutmeg and citrus. Textural and initially powerful, the fruit on the mid-palate is balanced nicely by the acidity with a killer finish. Lovely signature Aubert lemon cream, lemon scone, tropical fruits, honey, little bit of limestone grit and some ginger. Feels like it’s hitting peak with a long window. No rush, but if you have multiple, enjoy one soon. — 4 months ago
Au Bon Climat — Chardonnay 2023
Santa Barbara County, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A classic Santa Barbara County Chardonnay from Au Bon Climat, reflecting the restrained, balanced style that made Jim Clendenen’s wines such benchmarks for the region. This is Chardonnay without unnecessary theatrics: cool-climate freshness, measured richness, and an easygoing personality that still carries plenty of character.
Aromas & Flavors
Fresh apple, pear, lemon, white peach, and citrus blossom, with subtle vanilla, mineral, and lightly toasted nuances adding complexity without dominating the fruit.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, fresh, and beautifully balanced. The acidity provides just the right amount of tension, while a subtle creamy texture rounds the palate. Clean, composed, and remarkably easy to enjoy.
Food Pairings
Grilled fish, roasted chicken, shrimp, crab cakes, creamy pasta, or simply enjoyed on its own.
Verdict
A solid representation of what Santa Barbara Chardonnay does so well. It has freshness without austerity, texture without heaviness, and enough complexity to remain interesting while being completely approachable. A terrific casual Chardonnay.
Did You Know?
Au Bon Climat was founded by Jim Clendenen in 1982 and became one of the defining producers of cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County, favoring balance and restraint long before those qualities became fashionable in California.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is what I want a casual Santa Barbara Chardonnay to taste like. Affable, balanced, subtly textured, and carrying just enough tension to keep every sip fresh. Nothing overdone and nothing missing. It has officially earned a spot among my New World Chardonnay staples. — 13 days ago
good dry chardonnay # — a month ago
Low acidity with a nice butter finish. — 4 months ago
Matt Schwartz
Bright and racy. Lemon, lime, grapefruit and guava with the right amount of minerality. This is epic and for 6 years old it hasn’t lost a single step! Fantastic.
Update: After an hour the sea salt comes out. This really is a fabulous wine. — 8 days ago