This wine's flinty, stony aromas stand out, while in the background is an intriguing spice note of clove and nutmeg from surlies barrel ageing in somewhat neutral Francois Freres barrels for 10 months. Flavours and aromas of citrus and stone fruit are finished with a beautiful lemon/lime zest note.

This wine is intense, but light on its feet and is built to compliment food, not overpower food. It's immediately enjoyable and it will improve for at least 10 years.

Another in the long line of high quality, hand crafted, Santa Barbara County Chardonnays from Au Bon Climat. Santa Barbara County has the climate and terrior to allow Au Bon Climat to consistently make balanced and lively wines. This wine keeps on evolving, from delicious and fresh at release to a richer more complex wine with age.

Au Bon Climat has been making balanced, food friendly Chardonnays since 1982. Even in the early 2000s when ripe, oaky Chardonnays were all the rage, Au Bon Climat stuck to a more subtle and refined style, with minerality and intensity. The 2020 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a beautiful example of the Au Bon Climat style. The flinty, stony aromas stand out while in the background is a hard spice note from "sur lie" barrel aging. There are notes of lemon-lime and soft vanilla.