Vintage Clendenen Family Le Bon Climat Chardonnay 2007

Jim Clendenen was famous for producing internationally acclaimed Pinot Noir & Chardonnay in California. Amongst the region’s top producers, the wines he started producing in 1982 set the standard for modern, terroir-driven Californian wine from Burgundian grapes. Wines under the Clendenden Family Vineyards label are not just another label – this was a project of passion for Jim. These are artisan, nuanced wines from small lots producing distinctive wines that have had the luxury to be in the barrel as long as they need it. Long-lived, food-friendly, with firm acidity and moderate alcohol, they are really special parts of Jim’s story that we are honoured to import and represent in the UK.

Le Bon Climat is a vineyard Jim bought many years ago in the Santa Maria Valley just 5 miles from the famous Bien Nacido site where the winery is. It is situated on a very steep, windy and cool-climate site which gives incredible preserved aromatics in the wines that are made from there. The 2007 Chardonnay from Le Bon Climat grapes was aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 months.

This Chardonnay reflects Jim’s ideals: superb concentration without over-ripening the grapes; low alcohol with power, persistence and length. Now 15 years old, you would not believe it in the glass. It is rich and textured, laced with sweet pears, citrus peel, apples, almonds and hazelnut, spices and a beautiful florality, all of which come together beautifully layered journey. Honeyed-lemon tones add complexity to the generous, luscious super long finish.