Chardonnay Nuits Blanches Au Bouge Xxv Anniversary
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted chicken, creamy mushroom risotto, lobster with drawn butter
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The 'Nuits-Blanches au Bouge' Chardonnay is one of Au Bon Climat's most prestigious and storied white wines, with the 'XXV Anniversary' edition celebrating twenty-five years of pioneering winemaking on California's Central Coast. The name, a playful French pun translating roughly to 'sleepless nights in the tavern,' pays homage to the late-night dedication of founder Jim Clendenen during the grueling early harvest seasons. Sourced primarily from the historic Bien Nacido Vineyard in the cool, fog-influenced Santa Maria Valley, this cuvée represents a richer, more deeply structured expression of Chardonnay. It undergoes extended aging in 100% new François Frères French oak barrels, resulting in a luxurious, creamy texture that is masterfully balanced by the vibrant, natural acidity that defines Au Bon Climat's classic Burgundian philosophy.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1982 by the legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach, Au Bon Climat is a pioneering estate located in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, California. Situated on the historic Bien Nacido Vineyard, the winery is internationally acclaimed for its unwavering commitment to crafting Burgundian-style wines of balance, restraint, and longevity. Utilizing traditional French winemaking techniques, including open-top fermenters, manual punch-downs, and aging in classic Francois Frères French oak barrels, Au Bon Climat produces highly expressive, food-friendly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their signature expressions, such as the Knox Alexander Pinot Noir and Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Chardonnay, showcase the unique, cool-climate terroir of California's Central Coast.