Arriving soon, we have the 2021 vintage from ever-popular Aubert, and, as we have come to expect from this highly regarded producer, the wines once again score very highly across the range with high 90s-100 coming from both The Wine Independent's Lisa Perotti-Brown and self-professed-scoring-conservative Joe Czerwinski of The Wine Advocate.
Instrumental in raising the profile of Californian Chardonnay, Mark Aubert and his Aubert Estate create wines that can only be matched by a handful of producers around the world. Famed for his ability to skilfully apply Burgundian winemaking techniques whilst maintaining a distinctive Californian identity, Robert Parker singles out Aubert as "one of the contenders for California’s finest practitioner of Burgundian-styled, yet classic, California Chardonnays".
Aubert described 2021 as a winemaker's dream. "Not really any big heat waves, but with the drought and soils being drier, you get nice, concentrated grapes. Pretty textbook-perfect vintage."
All Aubert vineyards are established with a “Fifty Years of Production” expectation consisting of high quality, low yield grape harvests. As such, production is extremely limited, with most of the wines being sold directly to consumers via their mailing list. With a lengthy wait to join the mailing list, we are delighted to be able to offer these new releases from Aubert, that can be secured today.
Do take a look at the tasting notes below for a breakdown of the individual wines and how they represent both site and producer.
These wines are currently in the US and will be on our next shipment arriving later this year. Given the immense popularity of the Aubert range, do get in touch if you would like to order, and I can confirm subject to availability.
Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard 2021
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay UV-SL comes from largely Goldridge soils in parcels owned and managed by the Valdez family (UV being the initials of Ulises Valdez, Aubert's frequent vineyard collaborator, who died in 2018). There are 2,000 cases of this elixir, which offers up classic notes of toasted hazelnuts, white peaches and citrus zest. It's full-bodied, rich and opulent yet contained and controlled, with great silky length and energy. Aubert describes the oak thusly: "The oak is perfect. It just kisses you with a bit of vanilla and cookie dough." The wine is certainly delicious, and thinking back on it, I wonder if my rating is a bit conservative.
Aubert Chardonnay Sugar Shack 2021
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
The warmest site in Aubert's portfolio, the 2021 Chardonnay Sugar Shack comes from Mark and Teresa's home property on the western side of the Rutherford AVA. Planted in 2008 to a Montrachet selection and managed by David Abreu, it offers up attractive aromas of toasted hazelnuts and ripe peaches. Big, broad and fleshy in the mouth, it turns a bit angular on the finish, providing a bright, fresh counterpoint to the earlier opulence. 700 cases produced.
Aubert Chardonnay Powder House Vineyard 2021
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Floral, non-fruity hints of crushed stone and talcum powder appear on the nose of Aubert's 2021 Chardonnay Powder House, creating an attractive counterpoint to the wine's honeyed richness and intense white-peach notes. Full-bodied and silky in feel, it's a bit custardy in texture yet lithe, graceful and long, with an almost mentholated finish. There are 2,000 cases this vintage, from a Forestville vineyard planted in 2015 mainly to Hyde Old Wente, plus a bit of Mount Eden.
Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 2021
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Unlike many of Aubert's wines, the 2021 Chardonnay Lauren Estate incorporates four different selections (Hyde Old Wente, Montrachet, Mount Eden and Hudson). From vines planted in 1999 and 2000 on the site of a former orchard, and matured in 80% new French oak, it exudes power yet remains balanced. Hints of pencil shavings mark the nose, joined by effusive notes of lime and white peach, while the palate is full-bodied, rich and slightly oily in feel. Despite a sense of massive density, it remains fresh and lively, with great length and energy on the finish. It's the crowning achievement among a stellar collection of 2021s from Aubert.
Aubert Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons 2021
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
The coolest of Aubert's Chardonnay sites, the 2021 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons boasts lovely aromas reminiscent of melon, citrus curd and lime zest. It's full-bodied and creamy, with a silky, custardy mouthfeel and tremendous length.
Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard 2021
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
From a somewhat warmer site on thin, volcanic soils overlooking the Russian River, Eastside—originally a collaboration between Ulises Valdez and Mark Aubert—features a Montrachet selection planted on riparia rootstock. Despite plenty of new French oak in the élevage, there's only a faintly fumé, crushed-stone character on the nose, which nicely sets off the wine's white peach and lime notes. Full-bodied and generous but sturdily built, with an imposing structure, the 2021 Chardonnay Eastside is powerful and long on the finish. The crop was virtually wiped out by a spring frost in 2020, but the vines rebounded in 2021, yielding 1,400 cases.
Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard 2021
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
From a vineyard that borders the source of Aubert's Lauren bottling, there are 1,200 cases of the 2021 Chardonnay CIX Estate. Matured in 75% new French oak, this review is based on a tank sample awaiting bottling. Planted to a Montrachet selection in 2008, there's just a hint of fumé character, those smoky, mocha notes accenting ripe peaches and bright lime pith. It's characteristically full-bodied, generous, creamy and lush, yet with enough acidity to keep it clean and fresh on the finish.
