Au Bon Climat, Chardonnay, Los Alamos Vineyard, Santa Barbara County, California 2021

The Los Alamos vineyard is known for creating wines of texture and depth. The Au Bon Climat Los Alamos 2021 shows aromas of dried lemon, white flowers and grapefruit-peel with hints of apricot, coconut and oak. The palate surrounds a rounded almond flavor, with tart citrus and warm wood tones decorating the experience. It is layered with a textured mouthfeel, bright acidity, and a clean finish.

The Los Alamos Vineyard is roughly 500 planted acres, most of which is on flat bottomland of the Los Alamos Valley that is sandwiched between the warmer Santa Ynez Valley and cooler Santa Maria Valley appellations. The best grapes from this vineyard are found to the north on the gentle slopes of the hills.

Au Bon Climat sources from grapes grown at the top of the wind-swept slopes of the Solomon Hills. On this hilltop the wind and shallower soils keep the yields low and the grapes struggle to ripen. Even though it is a struggle, the small crop ripens early. The fruit is hand harvested, whole cluster pressed, and put to barrel. It is aged 16 months on the lees in 50% new François Frères French oak barrels.