Santa Maria Valley
Winemaking is a slow process and learning the craft even slower so it’s great to be able to tend the same vines in the same block year after year as we have at Bien Nacido. I first worked with my section of I Block chardonnay back in 1988 and have been bottling it here at The Ojai Vineyard since 1991. This has given me the chance to really get to know the block and to make changes in the growing and winemaking to best capture the unique characteristics from this vineyard.
Since 2000 we have made this wine entirely in older French oak barrels. New barrels impart lots of oak character that clouds the distinctiveness of the vineyard and also makes chardonnay heavier and less food friendly. And since 2009 our rows have been grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Here we aim for low yields and careful farming to bring out the best from this site.
Blend: 100% Chardonnay | Alc: 13.5% | Vinification: 7% New French Oak | Barrel Aging: 7 Months | Total Production: 678 cases
Press Reviews
Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“Bright yellow. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of candied citrus fruits, nectarine and honeysuckle, with subtle iodine and mineral flourishes building with air. Juicy, penetrating and pure on the palate, offering energetic tangerine, pear and buttered toast flavors and a strong undercurrent of dusty minerals. Finishes racy and extremely long, with resonating mineral and floral qualities.” – JR 93 Points
ARobert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Rich and textured, the 2013 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard offers up an array of apple skin, cream, brioche, licorice and spice to go with a medium-bodied, rich and nicely textured feel on the palate. It too has racy acidity that comes through on the finish, yet I love the richness and depth through the mid-palate, as well as the length on the finish. Give it another year in the cellar, and enjoy bottles through 2019.” – JD 92 Points
