Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay

9.237 ratings
9.25 pro ratings
Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.2

#chardonnay #sanford

#chardonnay #sanford

Jul 23rd, 2023
Eric Urbani

Always reliable from Jim.

Always reliable from Jim.

Jan 10th, 2021
Aravind A

Pop and pour yesterday. Yesterday, this was Cali chard in the style I am less fond of: big, buttery and slightly over the top (a far cry from the '17 we tasted at the winery); however, it was absolutely NOT flabby on the palate: with precise acidity and nice mouthfeel. Let this sit in the fridge overnight and this is an altogether different beast. Today: on the nose, still ripe, but loads of nice complexity shines through. Ripe citrus, stony minerality, soft mint notes, yum. On the palate: still fantastic cut, with laserlike acidity, balanced by serious richness. Some complex and lovely sweet citrus and wet stone follows the acid on a long, smooth finish. Yesterday, meh, today, stunning.

Pop and pour yesterday. Yesterday, this was Cali chard in the style I am less fond of: big, buttery and slightly over the top (a far cry from the '17 we tasted at the winery); however, it was absolutely NOT flabby on the palate: with precise acidity and nice mouthfeel. Let this sit in the fridge overnight and this is an altogether different beast. Today: on the nose, still ripe, but loads of nice complexity shines through. Ripe citrus, stony minerality, soft mint notes, yum. On the palate: still fantastic cut, with laserlike acidity, balanced by serious richness. Some complex and lovely sweet citrus and wet stone follows the acid on a long, smooth finish. Yesterday, meh, today, stunning.

1 person found it helpfulAug 18th, 2021
Ming L
9.3

Fruity, nutty, minerality. This has a bit of everything in a very harmonious way. Judicial use of oak. Medium body with round vivid acidity and great texture. Elegant saline finish.

One of the best Chard I’ve tasted in the sub $40 price.

Fruity, nutty, minerality. This has a bit of everything in a very harmonious way. Judicial use of oak. Medium body with round vivid acidity and great texture. Elegant saline finish.

One of the best Chard I’ve tasted in the sub $40 price.

1 person found it helpfulFeb 12th, 2021
Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.4

Always Bon!

Always Bon!

Aug 2nd, 2014
Hawk Bear

Smooth and not too oaked. Got in wine club shipment

Smooth and not too oaked. Got in wine club shipment

Jun 11th, 2022
Chris England

Fab balanced US Chard w/ great QPR @ £27 recommended 👍

🍷 Light golden straw

👃 Mineralised ripe green fruit through a honeyed tropical mist w/ citrus rain drops

👄 Med+ creamy well balanced not overpowered refreshing smooth body of tropical & green plump fruits w/ soft low+ acidity citrus undertones

🎯 Med+ tropical green & citrus fruit sweet soft creamy slight dry linger

Fab balanced US Chard w/ great QPR @ £27 recommended 👍

🍷 Light golden straw

👃 Mineralised ripe green fruit through a honeyed tropical mist w/ citrus rain drops

👄 Med+ creamy well balanced not overpowered refreshing smooth body of tropical & green plump fruits w/ soft low+ acidity citrus undertones

🎯 Med+ tropical green & citrus fruit sweet soft creamy slight dry linger

May 2nd, 2017
Nicole Hetzel

All things are pointing to YES, 2007, Sanford and Benedict produced by Jim Clendenen. Wish I could get my hands on more and share it... or not!

All things are pointing to YES, 2007, Sanford and Benedict produced by Jim Clendenen. Wish I could get my hands on more and share it... or not!

Mar 12th, 2017
Chris Forest

Peppermint, peaches, & nectarines. Nice nose. Nice complex fruits on the palate, peaches, minerals, slight creaminess to give the wine some depth. Some nectarines, citrus & creaminess round out the finish. Pleasing stuff. Noticeable acid and full body.

Peppermint, peaches, & nectarines. Nice nose. Nice complex fruits on the palate, peaches, minerals, slight creaminess to give the wine some depth. Some nectarines, citrus & creaminess round out the finish. Pleasing stuff. Noticeable acid and full body.

Nov 29th, 2016
Jim Nelson

Damn damn damn good, the best white I've had from these guys

Damn damn damn good, the best white I've had from these guys

Dec 9th, 2015