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. — a day ago

KA

9.3

Brentwood LA — 2 months ago

Matt Waring

8.9

Nice Syrah, if inconsistent. One sip lasts for days, the next is short. But on the whole, juicy and plush, with blackberry, plum, and candied orange — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Margerum – M5 2024, Grenache Blend – Santa Barbara County, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Inspired by the classic Southern Rhône blends, M5 is Margerum’s vibrant interpretation of Grenache-based reds. The 2024 vintage combines 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, 7% Counoise, and 6% Cinsault, delivering a wine crafted for youthful enjoyment, emphasizing freshness, purity, and drinkability over power or long-term aging.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, cranberry, dried herbs, white pepper, and a touch of lavender unfold from the glass. The palate is juicy and energetic, highlighting crunchy red fruit with subtle spice and a savory finish.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, silky texture, and barely noticeable tannins. Exceptionally smooth and mouthwatering, it leaves a long, cherry-driven finish that coats the palate without feeling heavy.

Food Pairings
Serve slightly chilled alongside charcuterie, grilled sausages, roast chicken, wood-fired pizza, tuna steaks, salmon, tacos, or Mediterranean cuisine.

Verdict
A beautifully crafted chillable red that perfectly captures the joy of Rhône-inspired blending. Fresh, balanced, and incredibly approachable, it is equally capable of pleasing casual wine drinkers and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

Did You Know?
The name M5 stands for “Five Grapes, One Wine,” referring to its blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, and Cinsault. While inspired by the Southern Rhône, Doug Margerum designed M5 to celebrate the freshness and coastal character of Santa Barbara rather than replicate the richer styles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly the kind of red I love recommending when someone says they “don’t want anything too heavy.” Serve it with a slight chill, and it becomes one of the most versatile bottles around, fresh, vibrant, endlessly drinkable, and a reminder that serious winemaking doesn’t always have to take itself so seriously. One of Santa Barbara’s most joyful red blends. — 2 months ago

Guy Acheson

8.9

Clean. Interesting. — 5 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.6

Laid this down in 2020 and opened for the occasion of my new great nephew Julian Rhys ! Drinking perfectly with the richness of almost a decade of age. Forgot how good this can be. — 14 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Really nice, good fruit and acidity. Strawberries, herbal quality, other good fruits. — a month ago

Paul J

9.6

See previous notes. Rocks! — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2025 vintage. $17 a bottle resto cost. Yeah, that's all. Underpriced and underrated. Two cases please and that'll last us 1.25-1.5 years. 7.8.26. — 2 months ago

Katie Fester

9.5

Open, delicious. Had a glass at Super Peach — 2 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

N white flowers.
P nice acid. Mineral. Undefined citrus. Elegantly rich. Burgundian.

Darkroom *

Grapevine 39 3/5 else 40.50 — 3 months ago

J Sullivan

9.0

I truly enjoyed this Chardonnay. Crisp with nice oak. — 5 months ago

Michael Dierberg

9.5

This one had signs of seepage on it so I opened it planning on throwing it out. What an amazing wine and so fresh! Maybe another bottle seeped on to this one? — 7 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

So good, floral, berries, acidity, crushable! — 16 days ago

romo

9.3

Still killing it. Versatile skins even in the most demanding cuisine. - at Cafe Juanita — 6 days ago

K Brooks

8.9

Quite nice with Pat’s chicken. Oaky, floral, fruity, acidic. — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Deep purple, inky color. Aromas of blackberry, dried strawberries, forrest pine and violets. Flavors of boysenberry syrup, balsamic hints and oak finish.

🍇 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Petit Verdot, 13% Syrah

🏅93 Points - Vinous — 2 months ago

Amy

9.0

master the world — loved!! — 3 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.2

Golden color. Green apple and vanilla (light oak) on the palate. Age worthy. April 2026. — 5 months ago

Henry Fuseler

8.9

3/2026. Nice bold Syrah. Good flavor and nice on the palate. Paired well with the duck at Divino Rosso. — 6 months ago