AU BON CLIMAT 2019 “Nuits-Blanches au Bouge” Chardonnay
Santa Maria Valley, California
*The word or expression on the label changes each vintage, but is always the first impression Jim gets when he tastes the new vintage of “Nuits Blanches” Chardonnay. The Japanese Kanji on this label translates to “Unique.”
VINEYARD
This wine is 100% Chardonnay sourced from the two estate vineyards – 90% from Bien Nacido Vineyard “K Block” and 10% from Jim’s own Le Bon Climat Vineyard. Both vineyards are located in the Santa Maria Valley at an elevation of about 500 feet. The “K Block” at Bien Nacido is one of the original blocks planted in the early 1970s to UC Davis 4. The newer plantings at Le Bon Climat feature Dijon 76 and 96.
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. The wine is aged surlies for 18 months and then is bottled unfiltered.
ACCOLADES
95 points – Wine Enthusiast
94 points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous Media
94 points – Jeb Dunnuck
93 points – Wine & Spirits Magazine
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