2016 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (11) Avg Score: 90.6 points

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  6/11/2023 - Max S. Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Take note with a grain of salt, mild allergy issues. The oak was strong with this one. Became more reductive as the night went on. I thought the flavor profile would be better in 5 years as the oak integrates, but not sure it has the acidity to take it that far.
  
  A very enjoyable wine by Jim Clendenen.

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  5/2/2023 - jkscully Likes this wine:

  On both days, this needed a solid hour or more to open up. On day 1, I found coconut oil, lanolin, vanilla, hay, and very light caramel, along with pear and apple fruits and attractive minerality. The caramel is really attractive on the finish—so sublte, it’s just perfect. The oak is there without being overbearing. On day 2, less of the creamy flavors and more peach and honey flavors along with sweet anise flavors on the finish. Still good minerality. I actually liked it better on day 1. This wine needed some time to open up and, unfortunately, I drank too much of it too soon, but after a good 2 hours of air, this coul pass for a premier cru Meursault, except it’s a fraction of the price. Great QPR. Seemed to be in a fine spot and could have lasted for several more years.
  
  I opened this on day one at Fin Raw Bar and paired it with oysters and a Macademia nut Orange Roughy. The Orange Roughy was too mild for this wine. On day 2, it was a fantastic match with Spaghetti with Olive oil and Garlic and clams. Best out of Riedel Montrachet.

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  8/18/2021 - Aravind Asok wrote:

  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.

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  4/19/2021 - tward wrote: 83 Points

  I was expecting much better, this having a JR 17.5 with a nice note among other things. It reminded by of California Chardonnay circa 2000 and though the fruit quality was fine and ripe and the texture nice, dense, it was just too over the top, getting confectionary and nearing cotton candy, just too cloying and heavy. Not enough energy or breadth. I still rate it solidly Good+ and some may love the style, but this didn't have the balance it should have. Got at close out under $30, but still poor QPR.

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  1/1/2021 - Ereynoldnelson wrote: 91 Points

  Wonderful Burgundian notes under a classic California chardonnay profile. We very much enjoyed this complex wine

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View all 11 Community Tasting Notes

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