Clos Du Bois Chardonnay

Clos Du Bois Chardonnay is a barrel-fermented Sonoma County Chardonnay bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the wine has collected multiple medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, including a Best of Class award in 2016.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Varietal: Chardonnay  |  Winery: Clos Du Bois, Geyserville, CA

Production & Heritage

Clos Du Bois was founded in 1974 by Frank Woods, who set out to marry traditional French winemaking techniques with the fruit-forward character of Sonoma County vineyards. Wine Spectator called the estate "California's best kept secret" back in 1986. For this Chardonnay, approximately 70% of the juice is barrel-fermented to integrate fruit and oak seamlessly, while partial malolactic fermentation contributes a richer texture and buttery mid-palate. The wine is cellared and bottled in Geyserville, in the heart of Alexander Valley.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe Gala apple and pear blossom arrive first, followed by toasted peanut and a subtle buttered-popcorn richness. A thread of lemon drop lifts the bouquet and keeps it from feeling heavy.

Taste: The entry is bright with fresh apple and juicy pear, moving into a medium-bodied mid-palate layered with baked apple and a hint of pineapple. Vanilla and caramel accents from barrel fermentation emerge toward the peak, balancing fruit sweetness with oak structure.

Finish: Moderate in length with a silky texture and lingering toasted caramel. A clean note of fresh citrus keeps the close bright rather than overly rich.

How to Drink Clos Du Bois Chardonnay

Serve lightly chilled around 50–55°F to let both the fruit and barrel-fermented complexity come through. This Chardonnay also holds its own in cocktails: a White Wine Spritzer plays up its citrus and apple brightness with a splash of soda; a Chardonnay Sangria with sliced stone fruit and a touch of elderflower liqueur builds on its pear and vanilla notes; and a French 75 variation using this wine in place of Champagne adds a richer, creamier body to the classic template.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a reliable, food-friendly California white
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a casual dinner party
• Introducing someone to barrel-fermented Chardonnay without overwhelming oak
• Pairing with a summer seafood spread or backyard grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Du Bois Chardonnay taste like? It leads with ripe apple and pear, transitions into vanilla and baked-apple richness from barrel fermentation, and finishes with toasted caramel and bright citrus. The partial malolactic fermentation gives it a creamy, medium-bodied texture without becoming overly buttery.

How does Clos Du Bois Chardonnay compare to Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay? Both are approachable, similarly positioned California Chardonnays, but Clos Du Bois tends toward more pronounced toasted oak and caramel notes from its 70% barrel-fermentation process. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve generally leans slightly more tropical and fruit-forward, making the two complementary but distinct styles.

Is Clos Du Bois Chardonnay good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced acidity and moderate oak influence make it a comfortable stand-alone sipper, especially when served lightly chilled. The interplay of fruit brightness and barrel richness keeps each glass interesting without requiring food alongside it.

Where is Clos Du Bois Chardonnay made? Clos Du Bois is based in Geyserville, in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, California. The winery was established there in 1974 and continues to source fruit from the surrounding Sonoma County growing region.

What foods pair well with Clos Du Bois Chardonnay? Roasted or grilled chicken benefits from the wine's toasted oak and vanilla notes. Pan-seared halibut or other white fish matches its medium body. Creamy pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo mirror the buttery mid-palate. Mild, semi-soft cheeses such as Gruyère or Havarti complement its caramel undertones. A simple green apple and walnut salad echoes the wine's core fruit character.

What sizes does Clos Du Bois Chardonnay come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Clos Du Bois Chardonnay worth the price? Clos Du Bois Chardonnay positions as an entry-level to mid-range Sonoma County Chardonnay, and its barrel-fermentation process and consistent critical recognition — including 90 points from Wine Enthusiast — deliver strong value relative to its price tier.

Why Clos Du Bois Chardonnay?

The 70% barrel-fermentation rate is the defining production choice here, giving the wine noticeably more oak integration and textural depth than many competitors at the same price level. A 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast and repeated medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition confirm that consistency across vintages is not accidental. Frank Woods founded Clos Du Bois in 1974 specifically to apply French winemaking discipline to Sonoma County fruit, and this Chardonnay remains the clearest expression of that founding philosophy — balancing California ripeness with structured, restrained barrel influence.