Vintage Clendenen Family Vineyards Chardonnay Le Bon Climat 2011

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.

Having spent 22 months in new French oak, the 2011 vintage is layered with aromas of tropical fruit, peach, pear and fresh lime. The palate is soft and round, with well-integrated oak elements, a gentle sweet almond note and a hint of spice. With 12 years of bottle ageing, this extremely well-balanced vintage is at its full potential and ready to drink!