Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

Au Bon Climat, tech sheet (hentet 17. okt. 2026): 2020 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 30, 2020; 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. Only Sanford Winery has that kind of “history” with this vineyard. The iconic, sustainably farmed vineyard was instrumental in elevating awareness that Santa Barbara County creates world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Consequently, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard earned a position in Au Bon Climat’s Santa Barbara Historic Vineyards Collection series. Fra vinmageren (producentens tekst, engelsk): Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is deservedly considered one of the great vineyards in America. A mantle of hard, siliceous chert-gravel covering deep, well-drained soils, combined with the cool climate (Region 1), is the ideal medium for quality Pinot and Chardonnay. After a nice long growing season, the grape’s chemistry numbers at the time of harvest were essentially perfect. The hallmark of the Au Bon Climat Chardonnays is age-ability, something that can only be done when all criteria is in balance. 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. The wine completed alcoholic and malo-lactic fermentation in the barrel, and 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): Exceptional. Spiced orchard fruits, citrus, brioche, and toasty oak as well as hints of nuttiness all emerge. The palate grips with crushed rock minerality giving frame to the stone fruit and citrus flavors. Medium-bodied and well structured, it has bright acidity and a clean, vibrant, pure style that’s going to gain richness and depth with a year or two of bottle age and keep for a decade.