Winemaker Notes
These Chardonnay vines were originally planted in 1973 with Clone 4 on its own roots in Block UU at the eastern edge of the Bien Nacido Vineyard. The grapes are hand-harvested grapes are gently whole-cluster pressed and fermented 100% in barrel, after which time the wine rests on its lees for 8 months. Malolactic fermentation is discouraged to help this wine retain its natural bright acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU is a deep, phenolic wine with tons of character driven by old vines planted in 1972. Powerful yet translucent, with striking character, the 2022 is compelling. Lemon confit, almond, dried flowers and chamomile open first. This is a decidedly earthy, mineral Chardonnay, with fruit more in the background.
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Wine Enthusiast
Lean aromas of lemon curd, blanched almond and honeysuckle stay delicate and light on the nose of this single-block expression. The palate has a compelling texture. Citrus glaze and lemon sorbet flavors are wrapped in a chalky grip with high-toned acidity.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of vines from the early 1970s supplemented with 1990s plantings, the 2022 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU spent eight months in 25% new puncheons. Broad, deep aromas of yellow apples and oatmeal introduce a vibrant, pure and precise palate. It concludes with a pleasing balance between rich, tropical fruit notes and focused salinity.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A lesser-known but elite AVA within the larger Santa Barbara district, the Santa Maria Valley AVA runs precisely west to east starting near the coast. The valley funnels cool, Pacific Ocean air to the vineyards more inland, allowing grapes a longer hang time to ripen evenly and achieve their full potential by harvest time. Combined with minimal rainfall, consistent warm sunshine, and well-drained soils, it is an ideal environment for grape growing.
Many of the wineries here are small and highly respected, having established a reputation in the 1970s and 80s for producing excellent Central Coast wines like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More recently, Syrah has also proven quite successful in the region. Many vineyards are owned by growers who sell their grapes to other wineries, so it is common to see the same vineyard name on bottlings from different wineries. Bien Nacido Vineyard is perhaps the best-known and most prestigious.