2016 Chanin - Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard
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The 2016 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from a terrific site just outside of Santa Maria. It has more citrus and minerality, with some marine oyster shell notes, medium to full body, gorgeous acidity, and a layered, seamless texture. This is fabulous stuff all the way and one of the gems in the vintage. As with the Los Alamos Chardonnay, this spent 17 months in 15% new French oak, with plenty of time on lees (no stirring).
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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Chanin's 2016 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard is bright focused and beautifully perfumed, as wines form this site tend to be. Orchard fruit, white flowers, citrus, mint and white pepper give lift and brightness. Today, the Bien Nacido is quite reserved, but it is undeniably a classy wine. The Chanin Chardonnay is sourced from Bien Nacido's W Block. These vines were originally planted with Riesling, and Chardonnay was grafted onto existing Riesling rootstock later. There is always something uniquely aromatic about this wine, and it may have something to do with the Riesling rootstock.
The 2016 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard is very attractive, wafting from the glass with a crisp bouquet of citrus pith, smoke, fresh apple, toasted nuts and struck match. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with a satiny texture, a bright line of mouthwatering acidity, and creditable concentration and depth. This should really blossom with a little bottle age, though it's approachable now.