Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2019

Au Bon Climat, tech sheet (hentet 17. okt. 2026): 2019 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay – appellation: Sta. Rita Hills; vinmark(er): Sanford & Benedict Vineyard; drue: Chardonnay; fadlagring: 18 months in 75% new François Frères French oak barrels; høst: September 18, 2019; alkohol 13.5%. Om vinmarken (producentens tekst, engelsk): The first “great“ vineyard in Santa Barbara County was planted by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict in 1971 in the cool Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The Burgundian varieties had found a home in Santa Barbara County. Jim Clendenen noticed the “magic” of Sanford & Benedict early on. He purchased a few tons of grapes in the mid 1980s, and since then, Au Bon Climat has received grapes from this vineyard every year; a relationship of over 4 decades. The iconic, sustainably farmed vineyard was instrumental in elevating awareness that Santa Barbara County creates world- class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Fra vinmageren (producentens tekst, engelsk): With a mantle of hard, siliceous chert-gravel covering deep, well-drained soils, combined with the cool climate (Region 1), it is a perfect medium for quality Pinot and Chardonnay. The Chardonnay was hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, and put into barrel. We fermented in 75% new François Frères French oak barrels, as we do with our “reserve quality” wines. Alcoholic and malo-lactic fermentation took place in the barrel and the wine remained surlies until the following August. After racking and a light fining we put the wine back to barrel for another 5 months. Barrel age was a total of 18 months. Smagsnote (producentens tekst, engelsk): Gorgeous. Citrus, caramelized mandarin orange, marzipan, and toasted brioche notes all define the bouquet. The palate grips with crushed rock minerality giving frame to the stone fruit and citrus flavors. It’s medium-bodied, with a lively, elegant mouthfeel, good acidity, and building richness.