Cambria Estate Winery

Bench Break Chardonnay

8.8117 ratings
8.614 pro ratings
Santa Maria 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
Charlie Abbott

Sommelier Casa Mono

8.7

Very much an oak-driven style. A lot of wine for $13

Very much an oak-driven style. A lot of wine for $13

1 person found it helpfulFeb 27th, 2019
Adam Kincaid

Love 3L anything

Love 3L anything

1 person found it helpfulDec 16th, 2017
Jeffrey Chung

Nice and buttery.

Nice and buttery.

1 person found it helpfulDec 14th, 2016
Michael Chelus

Tart apple, lemon, honeycomb, buttery oak, hay, slate and hints of vanilla. Bright acidity and minerality.

Tart apple, lemon, honeycomb, buttery oak, hay, slate and hints of vanilla. Bright acidity and minerality.

1 person found it helpfulJul 14th, 2016
Jeff Lander

Chardonnay from the Central Coast for stage 4 of #amgentoc. Good acid but too oaky for my taste.

Chardonnay from the Central Coast for stage 4 of #amgentoc. Good acid but too oaky for my taste.

May 22nd, 2016
Daniel P. Drake

For the money this is a decent Chardonnay. On the nose is notes of citrus, green apple, lemon meringue and white peach.

On the palate I am getting citrus peel, lemon zest, honeysuckle, pear, saline, wet flint rock and celery leaf on the backend.

There is medium + acidity with a clean fresh finish. Well worth the money.

For the money this is a decent Chardonnay. On the nose is notes of citrus, green apple, lemon meringue and white peach.

On the palate I am getting citrus peel, lemon zest, honeysuckle, pear, saline, wet flint rock and celery leaf on the backend.

There is medium + acidity with a clean fresh finish. Well worth the money.

Apr 13th, 2016
Nate Axline

Bring on the oak

Bring on the oak

Nov 4th, 2015
Clarissa Nagy

A beautiful example of Santa Maria Valley- great acidity, gorgeous fruit and oak character.

A beautiful example of Santa Maria Valley- great acidity, gorgeous fruit and oak character.

Dec 17th, 2014
Ming L
9.2

Really lovely developments, unexpected for a bottle under $20.00.
A bit nutty on the nose, but still with youthful fruit profile with green apple, tangerine, and lemon. Honeysuckle as well. The supple palate shows more oak, complemented by bright acidity and light fresh herbs.

Really lovely developments, unexpected for a bottle under $20.00.
A bit nutty on the nose, but still with youthful fruit profile with green apple, tangerine, and lemon. Honeysuckle as well. The supple palate shows more oak, complemented by bright acidity and light fresh herbs.

Oct 26th, 2022
Ming L
9.1

For about $15, I did not expect it would hold up this well at year 8.
Still very clean and refreshing on the nose with green apple, pear, pineapple, tangerine, hint of honeysuckle. Supple palate. Bright acidity has nice round edges. Lingering mineral and thyme infused finish.
What a value!

For about $15, I did not expect it would hold up this well at year 8.
Still very clean and refreshing on the nose with green apple, pear, pineapple, tangerine, hint of honeysuckle. Supple palate. Bright acidity has nice round edges. Lingering mineral and thyme infused finish.
What a value!

Apr 2nd, 2022