2020 Au Bon Climat "Nuits-Blanches au Bouge-Hindsight" Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

95 Points Vinous: "The 2020 Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge, a selection from Bien Nacido, is remarkably fresh and vibrant. Crushed rocks, citrus peel, mint, tangerine oil and white pepper are beautifully delineated. The purity of the flavors is just striking. Aging in a combination of 350 and 228-liter barrels confers notable freshness. This is a stellar showing from Au Bon Climat.

Au Bon Climat remains a reference point for Santa Barbara, perhaps THE reference point given the global reach these wines now enjoy. I have not seen too many changes here since Jim Clendenen passed away in early 2021, although most of these wines were made while he was still alive. The signatures are a fair amount of new oak for the Chardonnays, but often with a prominent use of large and thick-staved 350L barrels, and heavy use of whole clusters for the Pinots. The top selections often see extended time in wood. Of course, it all starts with sourcing at some of the very finest vineyards in Santa Barbara. Jim Clendenen influenced pretty much all of today’s younger generation, and that influence remains. Readers will find a number of compelling wines in this year’s crop of new releases." (July 2023)

95 Points from Jeb Dunnuck: "Slightly more expensive, the 2020 Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge - Hindsight comes entirely from Chardonnay (90% Bien Nacido and 10% Le Bon Climat vineyards) that spent 18 months in new French oak. Its similar medium gold hue is followed by stunning notes of ripe orchard fruits, honeyed melon, spicy oak, and white flowers. Slightly larger scaled and richer than the Sanford & Benedict release, it's another stunning Chardonnay from this team that's impeccably made. Drink bottles over the coming decade." (8/30/23)

93 Points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: "Rounded aromas of marzipan are woven through crisp nectarine and white plum flesh components on the nose of this bottling. The palate is firm and floral, mixing honeydew, crisp pear and light honeysuckle flavors into harmony." (12/1/2023)

91 Points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2020 Chardonnay Hindsight has soft scents of peaches, quince, fresh bread and cashews, revealing wafts of citrus blossom and beeswax as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is gently textural and leesy with a core of honeyed fruit and a delicate finish." (12/29/23)