Ira Schwartz

9.2

It has been a long time since I drank something like this. As I have often experienced with aged shiraz color degradation is nil. A powerful nose of plums, blackberries and licorice. In the mouth mostly dark fruit with hints of spice. Definitely not showing age, However not enough acid to stop it from getting “sloppy” at the end. Tannins resolved and alcohol held in check. — 13 days ago

S.S. Mandani

9.1

Peppers, cherries, black pepper, star anise.

Tart cherry, light peppercorn, nice front palate tannins. A bit of earth. — 6 months ago

Jane Nuss

9.3

Plum, oak, vanilla, pepper, cherry. Bold palate with ripe dark fruits. Blackberry, fig, prune. Silky tannins.
— 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Notes of Toffee Apple initially - a little reductive to begin with. Pale dirty crimson - transparent in parts - quite Burgundian in colour. A light to medium weight palate but Medium intensity. Like a good Village, verging on Premier Cru. Interesting and tasty but needing about 4 or 5 years more to develop complexity. Jim Chatto is regarded as one of Australia’s best winemakers having been in charge at Mt Pleasant in the Hunter Valley and now running his own show in Tasmania. Had a 2nd bottle 147 weeks later on 9th August 2025 - very pale Ruby in colour. Confectionery red fruit, jubey nose and palate. Sweet and savoury simultaneously. An excellent Tasmanian Pinot Noir. Had the last bottle on 12th April 2026. Very satisfying. — 4 years ago

P Plusquellec

9.9

Is hard to imagine how anything could be much better from nose to lingering finish. But, I'll keep searching for the perfect dram. — 5 years ago

Elizabeth Cooper-Mullin

9.0

Like a Haribo strawberry fizz. Pairs well with friendship, a fall feast and tears — 6 years ago

with Elisabeth

Doug Powers

9.4

This is just so lovely, cool climate, deft touch of oak, layers of complexity, long finish, just a brilliant effort by Florida Jim, my only regret is I didn’t buy more!! — 6 years ago

with Jim

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. — 3 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

Medium-dark red-purple color, beautiful redfruit aromas and flavors, with medium-toast oak showing as a seasoning the background, pretty sound structure and backbone, solid acidity, long, lingering finish, excellent California mountain Merlot (w/25% Cabernet Sauvignon). The sheer quality and complexity of this bottle is a wonderful tribute to the vision of Barbara and Jim Richards, who I am certain would be very proud, with Paloma now being ably run by their son Sheldon and his family. — 9 months ago

with Jim

Joe Dunn

9.3

Minerality. Apple peach. Awesome. — 5 years ago

with paul

Laura Purdy

9.0

This is a beautiful Bordeaux blend from the brilliant Jim Law. — 5 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

I believe this is a relatively new project for Jim - great execution as always — 6 years ago

Jonathan Shoup

9.0

Dark, cherry and delicious! See you next time — 6 years ago

with Jennifer

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Third generation grower Jim Maresh launched his own brand in 2007. Maresh Vineyard was first planted in 1970 by grandparents Jim & Loie. Medium Ruby color with aromas of aa array of red berry fruits with a touch of cooling mint. On the palate cherry and berry fruits, well structured, with a touch of rustic spice. Fine dusty tannins, balanced with acidity, medium-bodied, long finish ending with earthy mineral character. Very Nice! — 3 months ago

MoB

9.0

2022 vintage - smooth and delicious — 8 months ago

Flinders Doyle

9.5

One of my favorite wines and has stayed good over a number of years — 9 months ago

Russell Ives

9.4

2009 - beautiful velvet smooth and rich CabSav. Great drinking — 4 years ago

Frank Heinz

9.2

Bleu Rendezvous, Sanibel — 5 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.0

My Sunday night wine I have gone back to a favorite of mine that is not going to break the bank and is consistently good. I have opened the Jim Clendenon 2018 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County.

On the nose there is raspberry, cranberry, cherry, spice vanilla anise, clove and earthiness.

On the palate I detect good red fruit, raspberry, cherry, cranberry, red currant, anise, clove and earthiness.

The wine is medium bodied with medium + acidity and medium fine tannins that leads into a long fresh red fruit finish. Another well blended wine from Jim Clendenon that i have come to expect. I hope everyone's weekend was a good one and we are all still safe and healthy. Have a great week, Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 6 years ago

SK

9.3

Fabulous table wine. The Australian version of The Chocolate Block. Affordable too. From Wine Rack in Belsize. — 6 years ago