AU BON CLIMAT 2021 “Nuits-Blanches au Bouge” Chardonnay
Santa Maria Valley, California
VINEYARD
The fruit for “Nuits-Blanches” Chardonnay traditionally represents the best of Bien Nacido Vineyard “K Block”, in the Santa Maria Valley. Block “K” at Bien Nacido is one of the original blocks planted at Bien Nacido in early 1973 and is one of the best. Planted all to UC Davis clone 4, this clone in the cool Santa Maria Valley yields grapes low in pH at a ripe sugar level. A low pH Chardonnay will age better, integrate oak better, and pair with food better. Le Bon Climat is planted with Dijon Clones 76 and 96 which have riper characteristics at lower sugar than the Davis clones. The small amount of Le Bon Climat Chardonnay blended into this wine adds a nice layer of complexity and texture.
CELLAR
The fruit hand picked and carefully sorted in the vineyard, then 100% whole-cluster pressed, chilled and settled overnight. The juice is barrel fermented in 100% new Francois Freres French oak barrels. The wine undergoes complete malolactic fermentation. After completing malolactic fermentation, the wine aged gracefully on lees for one year before being racked and returned to barrels for an additional 8 months of aging, a total of 20 months.
ACCOLADES
95 points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous Media
95 points – Jeb Dunnuck
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2021 – Label Image
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2021 – Tech Sheet
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2021 – POS
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2020 – Tech Sheet
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2020 – POS
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2019 – Label Image
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2019 – Tech Sheet
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2019 – POS
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2018 – Tech Sheet
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2018 – POS
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2017 – POS
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2015 – POS
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2014 – POS
ABC – Nuits Blanches Chardonnay 2013 – POS