Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium lemon yellow . Quite open and rich on the nose , with buttered popcorn , toasty oak , lemon confit , honeysuckle and touch of apricot . On the palate this is also quite round but has good balancing acidity to counter the rich profile , with apricot , lemon peel . There is a creaminess to the mouthfeel and the alcohol , though I imagine it to be quite weighty , is well integrated . Lightly toasty , well balanced finish . I think this is drinking pretty well now , no rush , enjoy this over the next 5-8 years. — 17 hours ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Lovely and bright and precise. Slate and great acidity. Quite ripe but vivacious. — a month ago

with Paul and Ara

Conrad Green

9.0

clear and precise. Oyster shells and lime — a month ago

with Paul and Ara

Matt Schwartz

9.6

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. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

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. — 2 months ago

David Larkins

9.6

David’s favorite Chardonnay ever — 2 months ago

Andrea Watt

8.9

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. — 3 months ago

Norman

9.4

Bit of age on it so you miss the acid but still great — 7 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Amber in color. No whiff of oxidation. Soft tea and delicate melon. Balanced and pure and fresh still. Interesting and really good — a month ago

with Paul and Ara

Louis Martin

9.0

Classic aperitif to have with light apps. The go to starter drink at Hope Club. — 23 days ago

Brian S

9.2

Always solid — 2 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

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 — 2 months ago

J Choi

9.4

Ventura. — 3 months ago

Ryan Kravitz

8.9

good dry chardonnay # — 3 months ago

Mark Mannebach

8.9

Nice complex SB with smooth finish. — 13 days ago

Ming L

9.2

Aromas of fresh orchard fruit and ripe stone fruit, with pear and white peach at the forefront. Subtle ritual fruits as well. The palate shows more stone fruit richness with vanilla and hint of pie crust and seashell. Good acidic backbone. Clean lingering finish.

This is delicious and so easy to drink, but also quite sophisticated. — 24 days ago

Laura Berry

10

Had at Traina’s house in Oakville — 19 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

The 22 is a very pleasant wine marked by lemon zest and citrus notes, chalky minerality, and touch of acidity in the finish. What it lacks in depth, it makes up in drinkability and food-friendliness. — a month ago

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

Ashley Goldsberry

10

Delicious- fruity without being sweet but not dry. — 3 months ago