The 2016 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 31st Vintage Sanford and Benedict Vineyard hails from a very good Californian vintage, characterized by a warm spring, hot summer, and cooler August temperatures. This wine is a testament to winemaker Jim Clendenen's vision for this significant vineyard, offering a remarkably refined expression for a rich Chardonnay, often noted for its Burgundian style that benefits beautifully from bottle age. Tasting notes reveal a complex profile, with Jancis Robinson observing "steely, almost rusty reductive notes on the nose" alongside "tangy green fruit, toasted bread and charcoal" on the palate, leading to a long, mealy finish. Vinous highlights "orchard fruit, citrus and floral notes" with an "uncanny shades of dimension". Jeb Dunnuck finds "salty, seaside-like nuances as well as Burgundian-like orchard fruits, toasted spice, brioche, and honeysuckle aromas and flavors". Wine Enthusiast describes "savory aromas of chalk, butter, hazelnut and sandalwood," with "rounded flavors of lemon, honeydew and orange cream" culminating in a caramelized finish. Community reviews also mention ripe yellow peach, melon, apricots, smoke, cedar, and vanilla. 🍴 Food pairing suggestions include mushrooms and smoked salmon filets. Its richness and complexity also make it suitable for roasted chicken, pork loin with apple, or creamy pasta dishes. 🥂 This Chardonnay is still youthful and is expected to drink nicely for at least a decade. It's an excellent choice for a sophisticated dinner party, a special celebration, or for those who appreciate a nuanced, age-worthy white wine with a Burgundian sensibility. 【Remarkably refined for a rich wine with a Burgundian style, benefiting from bottle age】.