The 2022 Beau Rivage Chenin Blanc is a beautifully poised and deeply mineral California Chenin from one of the most exciting small projects in American wine today. Founded by wine critic William Kelley and Frank Ingriselli, Beau Rivage sources organically farmed old-vine Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg in California’s Sacramento Delta, where cooling afternoon winds and alluvial soils preserve freshness and tension despite the warm climate. Inspired by top Loire and Burgundian producers, the wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in old low-toast Burgundy barrels, resulting in a style that combines Californian fruit generosity with striking precision and chalky minerality.
The nose reveals ripe pear, quince and citrus blossom layered alongside acacia honey, wet stone and subtle waxy complexity, giving the wine remarkable aromatic lift and texture. On the palate, it is light to medium-bodied with vibrant natural acidity, fine-boned texture and a tightly focused mineral core. Layers of citrus oil, orchard fruit and gentle lees richness unfold with saline freshness and chalky tension, finishing long, energetic and beautifully persistent with impressive clarity and balance. Critics and merchants consistently describe the wine as one of California’s benchmark Chenin Blancs, praising its combination of Loire-like minerality and New World ripeness.
Ben’s Recommendation:
The 2022 Beau Rivage Chenin Blanc is a superb modern California Chenin — mineral, textured and beautifully refined with outstanding freshness and precision. Perfect with roast chicken, scallops, lobster salad, goat’s cheese or refined seafood dishes. Enjoy now with decanting or cellar comfortably through 2035+.
