au bon climat sanford & benedict chardonnay 2018

jim clendenen created the “bon climat” estate in 1982 and has been producing chardonnay, pinot blanc and pinot gris white wines and pinot noir red wines for more than 40 years, internationally recognized and sought after by wine lovers around the world: balance and complexity are the two words that best represent his wines. born in akron, ohio, jim clendenen left for france at the age of 21 and his stays in burgundy and champagne led him to turn to the world of wine. in 1978, back in the united states, he went for 3 years to learn his trade at zaca mesa winery then in 1982 decided to create his own estate by renting land. in 1998, he acquired his own vineyard with 45 hectares in sisquoc, along the south bank of the sisquoc river, ideally placed between the pacific ocean and the santa maria valley, mainly at the top of the hills. the estate is conducted in sustainable viticulture with a planting density limited to 3500 vines per hectare. the grape varieties planted are pinot noir, chardonnay and viognier, then more recently gewürztraminer and aligoté. jim clendenen also buys grapes from renowned vineyards in the region: bien nacido, sanford & benedict, los alamos and talley. au bon climat sanford & benedict 2018 is a stunning, deeply colored pinot with incredible complexity and depth. the wine has a core of red and black berries, and offers loads of spice with hints of dried rose petals, licorice, cola and sagebrush.