At a glance

Producer

Aperture Cellars

Region

Clarksburg, California, USA

Grape variety

Chenin Blanc

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$32-$38 USD

Tasting profile

Aromas of ripe pear, yellow apple, honeysuckle, subtle beeswax, and hints of citrus zest. Medium body, crisp minerality, fresh-cut apple, light honey.

Evolution: Over the next 2-4 years, develops more honeyed and nutty notes, deeper texture, and greater complexity.

At peak: At peak, elegantly balances citrus freshness, orchard fruits, and gentle lanolin/almond complexity characteristic of mature Chenin Blanc.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus; lively, giving freshness and food compatibility.

Tannins

None (white varietal)

Alcohol

Moderate, typically 13-13.5% ABV.

Aging potential

4-6 years from vintage; best with careful cellaring to ensure vibrancy.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2027

Optimal window

2024 to 2028

Current status

Youthful and vibrant; ready to drink now with additional bottle age potential.

Current condition

Fresh, clear, and pristine with no oxidation; potentially more complex after a year or two.

Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg is noted for both freshness and aging ability. In the first few years it shows vibrant fruit and minerality; by year 3-5, tertiary notes develop for enhanced complexity without losing acidity.

Food pairing

Ideal with creamy goat cheese, shellfish, chicken with herbes de Provence, Thai lemongrass dishes, or spring vegetable risotto.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Aperture Cellars employs water-efficient drip irrigation, cover crops, and minimal synthetic input. Initiatives to reduce winery energy use (LED lighting, solar panels at winery), lightweight glass for some bottlings, and responsible packaging are reported.

Aperture Chenin Blanc Clarksburg is not certified organic or biodynamic, but it is made by a producer engaged in careful land stewardship with sensible energy/water use and increasingly sustainable packaging. No synthetic herbicides are used in vineyard blocks selected for the wine, and efforts have been made to reduce the carbon emissions of the final product. However, lack of top-tier formal environmental certification and transcontinental transport for global markets lower the overall score.