Au Bon Climat, Talley Vineyard Chardonnay, Arroyo Grande Valley

Au Bon Climat · California › Arroyo Grande Valley › United States of America

White · Chardonnay
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LWIN 1827365
Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
89 /100
Reviews
11
professional

Vintages

No vintages

No vintage-specific entries have been added for this wine.

NV

Community Reviews

11
11
Reviews
88.5
Avg Score
92
Highest
Taster #3716 · Nov 15, 2014
86/100
Getting long in the tooth after a few hours being open. Could be an off bottle but I would still drink up quick. Acidity and structure is fading and the oak is increasingly overpowering.
2009 vintage
Taster #3716 · Jul 1, 2014
92/100
Part of a carne asada Mexican feast featuring three rock-star CA Chardonnays (with some tequila here and there) during an impromptu neighborhood feast on a scorching, summer day: - 2009 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay Talley - 2009 Smith Madrone Chardonnay - 2010 Robert Keenan Chardonnay The Au Bon did nicely as the most evolved and refined. Good, lingering notes of pineapple and subtle touches of creamy oak. Yummy!
2009 vintage
Taster #9189 · Jun 29, 2014
91/100
Drank over three days. Waxy. Lanolin. Could have been a chenin. Old vines for CA. Very impressed. Best qpr in CA for $25? Wish there were more new world wines like this.
2009 vintage
Taster #3716 · Dec 22, 2013
90/100
Really feel good about this wine now. Was worried that it was on the down-hill, which would have been very surprising, but it's in fact drinking perfectly right now. Pineapple, bananas, mangos and limes set against earthy minerals and rich oak. Love the long, creamy, buttery, tangy finish. This is a delicate Chard with its strength showing in the nuances.
2009 vintage
Taster #3716 · Nov 17, 2013
90/100
Much better than last bottle. Has delicate yet racy acidity against a front-palate that teases you with oak and then disappears.
2009 vintage
Taster #2971 · Nov 1, 2013
85/100
Very pale straw. Pear, wax, tropical melon, slight lemon zest. Lemon, ripe melon, citrus finish (medium length). Pretty good value, was not too oaky/buttery, which I liked, otherwise it was nothing too memorable.
2009 vintage
Taster #3716 · Oct 26, 2013
87/100
Great peach, nectarine nose and a nice, smooth balance of cream pie, lemon curd, and honeysuckle on the palate, but I wonder if this thing is on it's downward slide? Acidity was fleeting. I found it hard to find a consistent backbone to this wine, especially after some air. Have more and will drink soon. Maybe just an off bottle? More detailed notes coming.
2009 vintage
Taster #4017 · Sep 29, 2013
90/100
Very decent nice to try Chard with a few years of rest.
2009 vintage
Taster #3552 · Jun 22, 2013
88/100
A touch heavier on the oak than I was expecting, but none the less a very enjoyable bottle of wine that I imagine would be a crowd pleaser.
2009 vintage
Taster #9983 · May 15, 2013
90/100
We have consistently (and for a long time) enjoyed Jim Clendenen's wines, and this bottle was no exception. Clean, well-made, and with plenty of class, this made a great accompaniment to pasta with quail sauce.
2009 vintage
Taster #9983 · May 6, 2013
85/100
Nice aromas of mown grass and wet stone. Smooth texture. Caramel flavors. Could use a touch more acidity. Definitely deserving of a "good."
2009 vintage