The 2020 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay is a classic, Burgundian-inspired expression from the late Jim Clendenen. Fruit comes from Bien Nacido’s historic K Block, which Au Bon Climat has worked with since 1989. It was whole-cluster pressed, barrel fermented, completed malolactic fermentation and aged 18 months in new François Frères French oak.
Professional Ratings
| Critic |
Rating |
| Wine Enthusiast |
⭐ 93 points |
| Vinous – Antonio Galloni |
92 points |
| Ken’s Wine Guide |
92 points |
Wine Enthusiast’s 93-point review highlights Meyer lemon, toasted nuts and wood spice, followed by almond, crushed-rock minerality and white flowers.
Vinous – 92: Antonio Galloni emphasizes the wine’s brightness and energy, describing a more restrained, somewhat austere expression of Bien Nacido. His suggested drinking window is 2022–2032.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Meyer lemon, nectarine and peach with white flowers, toasted almond, subtle coconut, vanilla and barrel spice.
Palate: Rich yet tightly structured, showing citrus, nectarine, almond and vanilla over a chalky mineral backbone. Extended lees contact adds texture and complexity while the wine retains excellent freshness.
Finish: Long and focused, with lingering citrus, toasted almond, spice and crushed-rock minerality.
Sommelier’s Take
This is not an overtly buttery California Chardonnay. Despite significant French-oak aging, its defining qualities are freshness, minerality and structure. The combination of citrus, stone fruit, almond and chalk gives it a distinctly Old World/Burgundian personality.
93pts Wine Enthusiast
Meyer lemon aromas meet toasted nuts and wood spice on the focused nose of this bottling. The palate is tightly woven, offering blanched almond, crushed rock and white-flower flavors.
92pts Jeb Dunnuck
More crushed citrus, salty minerality, white flowers, and some marine-like notes emerge from the 2020 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard, a medium-bodied, much more racy, juicy, acidity-driven wine that still brings good depth and richness. This comes from unquestionably one of the great sites in the Santa Maria Valley and was barrel fermented and spent 20 months in 75% new French oak.
92pts Vinous
The 2020 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard offers good brightness and energy, but also comes across as a bit austere, especially on the mid-palate. Perhaps that is a reflection of bottle shock, or a year in ripening accelerated at the end of the season. Either way the 2020 is not fully expressive today while the signatures of Bien Nacido are a bit hushed.
History
In 1982, Jim Clendenen decided, along with Adam Tolmach, to start a winery dedicated to Burgundian varietals in leased quarters. Adam left in 1990 to pursue his own efforts leaving Jim solo at the helm. Through careful re-investment from its own production, Au Bon Climat (which means "a well exposed vineyard") has grown to over 50,000 cases annually.
Au Bon Climat sources fruit from several of the most highly regarded vineyards in the Central Coast. These include Clendenen’s own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and estate plantings at the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard – both in Santa Maria Valley, along with Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County), and San Luis Obispo County's Talley Vineyard.
The winery has cultivated an international reputation for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, is recognized worldwide for his classically styled wines. In addition to his Burgundian-focused Au Bon Climat wines, Jim also established another brand, Clendenen Family Vineyards. This project of passion allows him to make artisan, small lots of distinctive wines from a wider spectrum of varieties in styles conducive to small lots. He has received high acclaim for Italian varietals particularly his Nebbiolo that has a five year aging regimen in barrel.
