Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, California 2022/23

Since 1982 Au Bon Climat winery has been devoted to making classic, Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. The convergence of cool, brisk Pacific air, marine-based soils, and east-west running valleys of the area provided an ideal place for growing exceptional grapes. Hence the name “Au Bon Climat,” the French idiom for “good place”. Forty years later, the wines have earned a world-class reputation internationally. Jim Clendenen, the mind behind Au Bon Climat, set the objective and stayed true to its course. As the fads in California winemaking have come and gone, Au Bon Climat has maintained a laser focus in producing traditional, site-specific, nuanced and iconic wines. This Chardonnay is delicate, withh notes of white peach, creamsicle, and key lime. It has a rounded structure and lingering tropical tones that pair beautifully with creamy roasted butternut squash risotto or citrus-glazed halibut.