Au Bon Climat, Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley

rich, baking spice, lacks acidity/balance. rather uninteresting

2006 vintage

I've enjoyed a case of this, and it's now at peak. A very rich, although not too buttery, and tropical wine - more fruit salad than Burgundy. Benefits from 5mins in the glass but no need to decant. Decadent and fantastic value if you like the new world style. Just lacks the minerality, but no complaints here. Particularly good with parmasan. Drink in next 3yrs.

2006 vintage

Better than expected. Starting to develop an aged nutty characteristic. Tropical fruit dominates on the nose while green apple and pear fill out the palate. Plenty of fruit and acidity to balance it all out, but I wouldn't wait much longer on these. Purchased off winebid.

2006 vintage

Richer than a bottle of this I had a while back, which was leaner and toastier.

2006 vintage

-- tasted a single glass non-blind over approx. 15 - 20 minutes -- Lighter and crispier Nose and Palate presence than the '05 at this stage. Hint of sulfur on the Nose. Good acidity; leaner than the '05; long finish of medium-strong intensity. 13.5% alc. not noticeable. Very nice, but nothing amazing. This could, perhaps, be mistaken for a ripe Burgundy-satellite offering (i.e.: P-V), whereas the '05 is unmistakeably Californian with its big brawny butteriness. Gut impression score: high 80's.

2006 vintage

Tasted at the tasting room in SB. Labeled as the "Santa Maria Valley" chard. Nose of slightly buttery oak, burnt popcorn, and lemon peels. Medium bodied and has a nice mouthfeel.

2006 vintage

Modest oak, good fruit, balanced, good finish.

2006 vintage

Solid, well balanced - not quite as buttery and chavvy as I was in the mood for.

2006 vintage

Nutty, creamy and beautiful nose with brioche and lemon peel as well. The taste is fruity, balanced of tropic fruit and a long great aftertaste.

2006 vintage

A very balanced and pleasant wine - shows that American producers can succeed in emulating the Burgundy style. At the $19 price point I would normally look elsewhere, but I enjoyed this bottle.

2006 vintage

Started out reticent on the nose and palate. As it warmed the nose became very pretty, floral and very White Burgundian. The palate evolved continuously for a couple of hours. Bracing acidity remained on the palate all evening. This wine strikes me as very french in style (a good thing) Never over the top. No slathering of oak or overt malolactic here, just high toned fruit with minerality. Very high quality stuff but not for every American palate. Loved it!

2006 vintage

Lots of tropical fruits on the nose and palate, baked apple on the palate. A slight touch of oak but not over powering at all. Impressive stuff.

2006 vintage

Delish! One of my favourite Chardonnays in a half bottle, when I want one that's relatively strong and fruity. Very good (85.5).

2006 vintage

Crisp, clean with notes of pear and citrus flavors. Definitely a great bottle for the price. Very slight buttery finish, but not a good wine for those who prefer buttery wines.

2006 vintage

Straw yellow with a slight green tint. Nose of pear, grilled pineapple, tiny bit of oak, and the faintest whif of vanilla. Very nice. Viscous and expansive on the palate with more pear, pineapple core, and some cantaloupe in the middle. Finishes with a zingy twist of lemon and a very subtle touch of toasty oak and cream. Moderately long length. Good wine. Pleasantly restrained for a Cali Chardonnay. Nuanced and well done.

2006 vintage

Not a big fan of their pinots, but I thought this was a very enjoyable wine. Lean for a cali chard. Honeysuckle and citrus with loganberries on the complex palate. A hint of nuts, but no butteriness. Lingering finish. Good qpr.

2006 vintage

Gibby's Uncorked, Flight I (Gibby's Wine Den, Geneva, IL) : Waxy fruit notes, with a lanolin-like quality. Good fruit and acids on the palate, very pure. Nice finish.

2006 vintage

Well balanced citrus, followed by creaminess with only a hint of butter. Nutty finish goes on and on. About as Burgundian in style as a Cali chard gets, especially for the price. A favorite white and great QPR.

2006 vintage

Beautiful, restrained nose of green grapes (I know, silly to say, but that's what I smell), pear, and slight tangerine. On the palate, more green pear, and mild lemon citrus on the mid-palate, ending with a light touch of honey and vanilla. Balanced acidity, lovely mouthfeel, good finish. Very happy to drink this.

2006 vintage

Binny's California Night (Highland Park) : nose: good california chard nose. Getting mostly butter, lemon, and citrus notes taste: nice smooth mouth. Some butter, but a whole lot of various citrus and lemon sticks out. Easy drinking mouth overall: very nice chard. Brings good flavors, but they are simple in the end. Just not really enough to get me really jazzed about it, but it is a well made wine

2006 vintage

Pulled from cheap Costco Chinese wine keeper and drank from Riedel wineline Chardonnay glasses. Medium nose of honeysuckle, orange blosom and citrus. Big mouthfilling fruit with a citrusy tartness, orange creamsicle, and very slight butter, honey and vanilla. Not overly "California" tasting. Very good balance. 13.5 % alc. Strong but not overpowering acid. Nice medium length clean finish. A bit of a surprise if your looking for a "typical" sweet, overoaked, high alcohol, buttery, bacony CA Chard.

2006 vintage

At my surprise birthday party. I thought this was great. So did our UK Guest, in particular

2006 vintage

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Au Bon Climat, Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley

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