Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I do enjoy & respect PYCM’s craft. This Bourgogne is well worth twice what I paid. You can pay much more for many non-white Bourgogne’s. I am just not sure the additional spend pencils vs those higher prices in many QPR comparisons. One qualifying remark, in really good vintages.

It is an insanely great pair w/ the Jasper Hill Farms, Harbison and honey crisp apples. 92 on its own, 93 with the paring.

My July 2026 notes still hold. — 11 days ago

John W

9.0

Dark ruby coloration. Some translucency. On the nose, ripe plum, raisin, anise, chocolate, amarena cherry. On the palate, lots of amarena cherry- fruit forward, transitioning into some plum, raisin, anise, chocolate and very strong acidity. Not my favorite style of Amarone with the acidity being so prominent and missing that lush, velvety texture and full body. Long finish of raisin, plum and chocolate. As the wine opens up more it is more enjoyable. — 2 months ago

Amy

9.0

master the world — loved!! — 5 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on March 19, 2026 at Home]

Blackberry and black cherry fruit, with vanilla, chocolate and licorice notes. Plush wine which has aged well. — 8 months ago

Louis Martin

9.1

Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 9 months ago

Jenks

9.0

Apparently this translates to “up all night” or something heeeeeyyyyy — 2 years ago

Eric I

9.2

Great wine to pair with an LSU loss — 3 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1/2 hour decant(decent fine sediment). A splendid still dark brooding garnet color with some bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating perfumed notes of dark red fruit, eucalyptus, forest floor, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, smokey cedar. Taste: silky, savory, resolved wine with dried cherry/plum, dark chocolate, pepper, cedar, fig, and a graphite espresso long finish. YUM! — 3 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+1 hour decant(modest sediment). A striking still dark purplish crimson color with bricking. On the nose: Seductive notes of dark fruit, sandalwood, cigar wrapper, herbaceous, stewed meat, pencil lead, worn leather. Taste: silky, layered, vibrant wine with dried plum/cherry, cigar leaf, graphite, that Cos spice, crushed gravel, hint of chocolate, and a hauntingly long dry finish. YUM! Terrific old school Bordeaux. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Scot Walker

9.2

Dark fruit in the nose with plums, black cherries, leather and blackberries in the palate. Paired well with steak au poivre. Drank in 2026, could use aeration to fully enjoy the wine. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A striking medium purplish garnet color with bricking. On the nose: Inviting notes of dried red fruit, currants, pencil shavings, floral, stewed meat, milk chocolate. Taste: fully mature, savory, silky wine with dried plum, ground coffee, earth, minerals, tobacco, and a sour cherry/green bell pepper/graphite long finish. YUM!! Drink em if you got em. — 8 months ago

with Brenda

ChefLRA Riaño

9.2

Medium bodied, berries & chocolate, low acid. Delicious — 10 months ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

8.9

This Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a soft and tasty red with plummy flavors and hints of chocolate and coffee with a smooth silky finish. The longer it breathes the softer and silkier it gets. — 3 years ago

with Daniel and Michael

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon candy, dried apricot, oak and hints of peach. Great acidity and balance. — 4 years ago

Rick Phillips

9.8

Floral note’s of blackberry and blueberry, baking spice, cedar, tobacco and dark chocolate. It has plush, velvety tannins that enhances the smooth finish. — 22 days ago

with Letha

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

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. — 2 months ago

Bill Mowry

9.0

Coconut, chocolate, dill, cherries, and a hint of pepper. Milder tannins and medium bodied with a big mid palate and earthy finish. — 7 months ago

with Lou

S.S. Mandani

9.1

Perfumed red fruits.

Cherry, zippy structure, earthen, licorice, fennel. — 9 months ago

Ming L

9.0

Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure. — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Another outstanding vintage! Dark ruby color. Aromas of black currant, black cherry tobacco and dark chocolate. Bold blackberry and cherry flavors with vanilla, dried spices and oak. Long and smoky finish. Full bodied, lush, powerful and rich. Bright acidity and firm tannins. Beautifully complex. Revisited again in July 2023. My Boss loved it! — 4 years ago