The vineyard is also known as one of California's Grand Crus. It is located in a cool position with rocky soil and strong influence from the sea. Aged in French barrels (15% new barrels) for 11 months. In addition to flowers and fresh pineapple, you can also feel the luxurious and decadent aroma of brioche. The refreshing mouthfeel changes to a mellow one, and you can feel the taste of lemon, marmalade, pear, honey, etc., and the impression changes to minerals and powerful citrus.
Vintage Information
While 2021 has been very hot for many parts of California, Santa Barbara has remained fairly cool and foggy.
Fog is one of the Santa Maria Valley's defining features, but in 2021 the fog remained there longer than usual, at times resulting in a thick milky fog.
The harvest took place in mid-September.
Technical information
The wine is harvested in three batches in the cool hours before dawn, pressed, soaked overnight, then racked. It is then fermented in French barrels (15% new) using our own cultivated natural yeast.
The wine is stirred during primary and malolactic fermentation and then aged on the lees for 11 months.
Tasting Comments
Bien Nacido's Ojai approach often produces a crisp style of Chardonnay, but even in a cool year like 2021, the wine gradually matures and turns out to be a rich wine.
The aroma is luxurious and decadent, with notes of flowers, fresh pineapple and brioche.
The taste changes from refreshing to mellow, with flavors of lemon, marmalade, pear, honey, etc., before changing to minerals and powerful citrus notes.
Field Information
Bien Nacido Vineyard is a very famous vineyard and is also known as one of the Grand Cru vineyards in California. It is located on rocky soil on the eastern side of the Santa Maria Valley, in a cool location that is strongly influenced by the sea, and boasts long hours of sunlight.
Grape cultivation began on the property in the 1800s, and the current owners, the Miller family, purchased the property in 1969, developed the vineyard, and named it Bien Nacido.
Since then, Au Bon Climat and other renowned wineries have been supplied with the vineyard's Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Vintage: 2021
Capacity: 750ml
Type: White wine
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Santa Maria Valley
Nested AVAs: Santa Maria Valley
Vineyard: Bien Nacido Vineyard
Notes: Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points (Aug. 29, 2022)
Winemaker: Adam Tolmach
Winemaking: Fermented and aged in French barrels (15% new barrels)
Aging: 11 months on the lees
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 13.0%
JAN: 858187004584