California Class Collection

The late and great Jim Clendenen made some of California's best chardonnays and this is a great way into his style. Sourced from sites across Santa Barbara County, including the famous Bien Nacido and Los Alamos vineyards, this benchmark chardonnay is barrel fermented in neutral French oak, which has led to an intense apple, oyster-shell and lemon-scented white with a creamy mouthfeel and beautiful length. With his children now at the helm, Au Bon Climat is in good hands and continues to produce elegant, balanced, food-friendly wines with great expression.

Tablas Creek, a joint venture between the Haas and Perrin families, is a flagbearer for regenerative viticulture and this vibrant, fragrant southern Rhône-inspired blend is a perfect introduction to what they do. Intense flavours of ripe strawberry and raspberry are balanced by bright acidity, with wild herbs on the finish.

Hanzell have developed a great reputation for producing some of the most age-worthy chardonnays in America. The 2019 is showing great elegance, with structured acidity and textured mouthfeel. Lemon and oyster-shell notes develop on opening, suggesting this will age beautifully.

A top example of restrained yet concentrated Californian pinot noir. Polished and perfumed, this pinot wears the oak lightly, with a focused red-berry and tart cranberry concentration. The fine tannins and bright acidity lift the fruit and support the developing spice on the finish.

Green & Red Zinfandel 2023 is a poised and characterful expression of Napa Valley zinfandel from the rugged slopes of Chiles Valley. Drawn largely from the high-elevation Tip Top and Chiles Mill vineyards, the wine combines mountain freshness with classic Ridge precision. Aromas of blueberry, orange zest, tobacco leaf and wild herbs lead into a supple palate layered with boysenberry, raspberry and dark chocolate. Despite its generous fruit, the 2023 remains balanced and finely structured, with bright acidity and savoury detail carrying through a long, polished finish. Approachable in its youth, it should continue to evolve gracefully over the next six years. Please note that the price shown in the current Fine Wine Collection printed edition is incorrect. The correct price is as shown below.

From Turley's estate in St Helena, this is a wonderfully pure expression of Napa Valley zinfandel. Head-trained, dry-farmed vines, together with small amounts of traditional interplanted varieties, bring both complexity and freshness to the wine. Rich blackberry, black cherry and raspberry fruit are layered with black pepper, liquorice and subtle savoury spice, while bright acidity and fine tannins provide balance and length. Generous yet beautifully poised, this is a benchmark modern top quality California zinfandel.