tasted blind, advertised as Burgundy but Alexander the great saw though the disinformation and called it Aubert. Impressive! very clearly toasted marshmallow here. rich rich but not monotonous. With my limited experience I get more pleasure out of the Aubert chards after 15 years in bottle. too burly when young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Was a gift from a friend years ago and got a bit lost in the cellar. Popped it open thinking it might be shot, but it drank well. It's a big, powerful chardonnay, with high alcohol, and not really my general cup of tea for white wines to drink with food. But I could really appreciate it for what it was, rich and complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I början väldigt amerikansk och ekfatad dominans med underliggande varm frukt, oerhört balanserad då de 15.1% inte märks av, fin syra fortfarande och utvecklades väldigt mycket med tid i glaset, faten lugnades ned och fram kom en fin frukt, exceptionell längd!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Zoom evening with estate director Philip Gift. Beautiful, youthful color, warmed up in the glass over time, drank over 2 hours, simply magnificent for a CA aged chard. My style. Plenty more in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Perfectly stored since release. This has a very dark golden color. Aromas of roasted nuts, lemon meringue, papaya and touch of lime. Flavors of lemon, nut, vanilla and touch of lime. Ends with mineral and nut driven finish of about 35-40 seconds. Got some heat on this too. The big fruit in its youth is gone, replaced with secondary characters. Think I missed the sweet spot I like it in but interesting to see the transformation. Definitely not dead.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Traditionally, this is my favorite of the Aubert vineyard designates, and my note of a year ago calls this wine “liquid gold.” (In my opinion, Aubert [along with Morlet and Littorai] creates among the most “Burgundian” California Chardonnay, if that expression is at all meaningful.) A year has made a difference, at least in this bottle. Still wonderful, but perhaps it has lost a bit of its luster. The initial nose is of dried apricots, orange peel, and Aubert’s trademark smoky citrus. My wife says she smells, “richness,” with no vineyard pun intended. In the mouth, it is a bit thinner than I recall, but still has Aubert’s signature citrus oiliness, just less of it, with notes of lemon, a touch of vanilla, some petrol, and a touch of candied ginger. It still has the structural backbone to stand up to food, and the finish is long and fine. After time, the nose reminds me of orange blossom honey. Still a great wine, but I fear it’s perhaps past its peak as everything is a bit candied compared to how it was not that long ago. With all that in mind, the bottle emptied fairly quickly.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Golden color. This is very different at this age compared to when it was first released. Mellowed, not as much tropical fruit. Instead I found petrol and confectionary notes with a touch of heat. Very smooth but I think I like these young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought by Mike Grammer open from last night. Lovely nose of vanilla spice and a hint of tropical fruit. Thick and voluptuous on the palate. Long finish of nutmeg and slate. Classic California chardonnay. Delicious with assorted cheeses.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted double blind. On the nose some petroleum aromas. On the palate very crisp and light, bright acidity and totally dry. No idea what this was and surprised it was chard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
On opening this bottle, significant oak aroma. The oaky nose remained the entire time the bottle was consumed. Taste of wine had nice white fruits and good acidity. Would drink this over the next few years, or gift to those friends who love the oaky California Chardonnay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very much in agreement with post 4/22/2016 by WALKERJFW. Lovely color, nose, depth, and character. Sonoma style. Can't see it improving any more, and likely in a nice decline. Has that aged character, and in my view at its peak there so best to enjoy it now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Out of magnum on a hot and humid night along Lake Michicgan. 2+lb lobster to pair with a 2013 Iron Horse Chardonnay. Deep and rich color, good mineralogy, tropical fruit, tasty, developed long into the glass. Thankful to know I have 2 mags in the cellar and will be in no hurry to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Last bottle from this stash. Chilled and splash decanted, drank over an hour. First wine of the evening...
Deep gold color, aging nicely. Nose had orchard fruits, citrus/zest, burnt sugar, honey, oak. Rich and rounded palate, peaches, citrus, apricot, creme brulee, Creamy mid palate, long finish. Some heat coming through at the end (ABV 15.1%) suggesting the fruit may have peaked. Great texture and extraction on this wine...
Really gorgeous Chardonnay, nicely balanced and aged well. We drank from goblets which I found allows the aromatics on a wine like this to develop better in the glass. I would also give this a better decant than we allowed, the last sips were the best... Doubt that it will add more complexity, would drink over next 2 years...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My third and last bottle of this and just beginning to move past its prime. Still some fine sweet fruit but starting to be overtaken by the oak and there is some oxidation taking place in the bottle. Still recognizable but pushing past its optimal drinking window. For me these Aubert chards seem best around 5-6yrs from the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had this with thanksgiving dinner...held very well to the strong and varied flavors of the meal. Perfect balance of acid and sugar, strong mouth feel, heavy weight, golden apricot flavors with a bit of minerality. Very fine aging.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fabulous California Chardonnay. Showing hints of age (in a good way) but still fresh and ripe and full of body. Look forward to trying this at 10/12/15 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very fine wine, showing no fading at 7 years. Big butterscotch brûlée flavors coming form the oak with some sweet honey and even a touch of lychee. A California attempt at Corton Charlemagne which isn't quite that but still very fine wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Uncorked for an hour then decanted for 20 minutes before serving. Big wine, and while I paired with lobster tails poached in butter and champagne, it really needed something like a chicken or pasta dish. Plenty of acidity holding it all together, but in the end more oak than fruit kept it from being a favorite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The Aubert was popped and poured with very thick legs with Justin at home. The wine had a golden straw color. On the nose, the wine had very concentrated and expressive notes of coconut, butter, crème brûlée, peaches and honey. Great extraction. The structure was multi-layered and the wine was effortless, despite the strong presence of alcohol (15.1% ABV!). On the palate, there was a strong honeyed taste supported by straw, butter, peaches, citrus and soy. Finish was very long and the alcohol burn was still apparent but without much acidity. Incredibly charming stuff from Aubert nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Best one so far in the vertical, great extraction yet very good balance. Not as complex as some of the other Aubert Single Vineyards but this is damn tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A fantastic bottle. Full-bodied, assertive, and refined, it gave enormous pleasure with its balanced fruit and acidity. Very rich and giving--delivered everything promised--and therefore not only a good bottle, but a good value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I drank this last night--all of it. Each sip reminded me that, at their best, Aubert wines are the equal of any produced anywhere. Not buttery, not mineral, rather a balanced style that was absolutely delicious. Beautiful shining yellow color with surprising legs. Multi-citrus nose with subtle floral notes. Given the nose, I was surprised that citrus did not dominate the palate--it was there along with apricot and pear flavors whose richness reminded me of a smoothie. Long, long finish. Lauren has been my favorite Aubert, but this could give Lauren a run for the money. 07's are gone, 08's are next.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Same rating both times. Wonderfully knitted, seamless, almost syrupy but in a positive way. Some think that Mark is the premier Burgundian grape vintner in California; I am in total agreement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light golden yellow, delicious nose if tropical fruit and stone, this wine was amazingly smooth with excellent fruit, acidity and a finish that went on and one. Drinking great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My last bottle, and while it is showing signs of age - less angularity and vibrancy than earlier bottles, this is still a Chardonnay that is head and shoulders above almost any other US Chard I've ever tasted. Great stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A lot going on here -- rich and buttery, with plenty of fruit and acid to balance. Nearly bombastic compared to the delicacy of the white burgundy from the night before.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Frankly, I just don't have enough Aubert chardonnay. These never fail to please with rich, warmer side chard notes, voluptuous texture, lovely fruit (in this case citrus and pear) and a terrific finish. I don't know another US brand that produces consistently better chardonnay. Just have to figure out where to get more of their wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow! Such a spectacular wine. Rich, creamy, delicious citrus fruit with nutty, and vanillin flavors, excellent structure, ample acidity and length, this wine just keeps getting better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Existing notes are indicative. The more I drink these Auberts the more I am convinced that 5-7 years is the ideal window. They hold up well over time, but they lose vivacity and minerality. Drink.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
light gold. Nose was buttery, vanilla, citrus. Took me momentarily back to the Chards of the 80s when everything was all about butter. Taste was more citrus and vanilla. Smooth. I think drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose is dominated by exotic fruit... mango, pineapple and orange zest. There is also a note of smoke and some vanilla. The palate is again filled with exotic fruit but also a nice acidic structure and butter. Medium long finish with a little hit of alcohol in the end. This wine has developped into a beautiful chardonnay, less opulent now than when it was released.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
HDH auction tasting at Tru; 6/22/2012-6/23/2012 (Chicago, IL): I'm not that well-versed in California wines, but the nose comes across closest to a Meursault. Gentle oak, with some notes of lemon curd and maybe egg custard. On the palate, this is quite buttery, but definitely this does not taste like a Meursault. Ripe yellow stone fruit flavours and a slightly hot and disjointed finish. Delicious, but the need for a little bit more acidity makes this slightly cloying and difficult to drink a lot of. Very full bodied. You can feel that >14% alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured. Initially tasted at cellar temperature and this was quite closed on the nose. On the palate this was about power and not grace; strong flavors of oak with some citrus/vanilla bean notes and a bit hot. Did not come across as having the balance I usually associate with both Aubert and Ritchie which usually exists because of the low yields and vinification and despite the high (15.1 abv) alcohol. Perhaps too young or just not of the better Aubert efforts. Will see how it does after a day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
vanilla, roasted caramel, crem brulee on the nose. Very aromatic & full bodied. I wasn't picking up a lot of 'fruit' notes, mostly notes of oak influence. I didn't taste the citrus fruit that people say are typical of this wine. But, paradoxically, it did not taste over-oaked, but well balanced and full of flavor, which told me that there was big fruit in there. Impressive wine- more fruit/minerality would have given this a very high score from me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
superb showing, and highly favored by our guests. so much so that a second bottle was opened and drunk with consistent notes. peach, lemon curd, marmalade, a bold expression of the domestic grape that i find well balanced and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Showing much better than the 08 Lauren. A fairly rich nose but showing more than just butter. Some nice minerality goes with this from start to finish. Ripe and somewhat big but it wears it well. Seems to have everything in balance to continue to develop.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really enjoyed the first two bottles but this one was almost "over the hill". Lost its crispness and acidity so kind of mushy. Maybe just this particular bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
--- COLOR: Deep, brilliant golden honey NOTE: Big nose of ripe pineapple, clover honey, candied lemon peel, browned marshmallow and even a whiff of banana, tinge of heat (15.1% abv mostly hidden). Mouth has nice opulence with beautiful, dry white peach, lemon zest and vanilla bean cream. The finish is much more about the cream and marshmallow than the fruit. Fine with me!
DECANT: 1-4 hours GLASS USED: Bordeaux TASTE: 9.3 OTHER: COST: 84 VALUE: 8.2 PREVIOUSLY TASTED: 08/10 TRY AGAIN: now - 2015 PAIRING: n/a Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net ---
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
EWG Dealer's Choice (A/K/A Bistro, Pasadena, CA): I'm surprised to see another note on this wine by me in June as it is quite different from this tasting. This tasting was different from what I've come to expect from an Aubert Chard anyways. Nose of saline and lemon custard. Light bodied without the richness I've come to expect from these wines making it almost elegant. Almost as the finish was cleft with a touch of heat. Other tasters claimed they noticed a lot of oak but again, this didn't strike me as being strongly oaked as they normally do. I have to say I liked the lighter body of this even if it didn't come together in total.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was the last of these and made me wish I had put some up for 10 years. Last note was a little more than two years ago, and strikingly little change since that time. Still looks, feels and tastes youthfull. Thicker viscosity than many, and highly aromatic nose still showing toast, honey, lemons and pineapple. Add some meyer lemon, melon and pear as you sip, that linger in a long finish. The alcohol is more intergated now but still a tad distracting. This is good no doubt, but the 2008 and 2009 vintages have hit me better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seems much younger than a bottle we had over a year and half ago. Good fruit with lively acidity - extremely well balanced. I'll wait a couple more years before trying another one. Seems like it could be a great ager.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tight upon opening, but really started to open in half hour. Then the butterscotch really started to come through. Mouthwatering acidity. Would strongly recommend opening an hour or two ahead or decanting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 2 hours. Honeysuckle and cantaloupe on the nose. Rich and unctuous, notes of melons, honey, apples and minerals on the palate. Finish that lasts 30 plus seconds.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is a standout Chardonnay. Bright yellow color. Pretty nose of apple, fig, spice, and oak. In the mouth, concentrated and richly delineated, with apple, pear, fig, apple pie spice, and a creamy, oaky texture. The acidity gives a nice kick, and the finish is long and smooth. A-/A
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First '07 Aubert for me and this is a fantastic bottle of wine. Layered flavors of citrus, honeysuckle, orange blossom. Nice balance, beautiful texture, lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very light color and old world nose. Quite rich and good dose of wood. Some minerals and acidity to keep the balance but just a touch too much heat on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
EWG: Decadence (Conrad Green's Abode): Nose shows some sulfur, smoky wood and lemon chiffon with some heat. Sweet and pretty palate. Very even though very rich. Definitely on the decadent side of whites. Doesn't speak to me but I do get that people love these.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow...simply spectacular! Has everything that's great about CA Chardonnay. Tons of rich honeyed fruit with a bit of acidity and a crazy long finish. Very balanced wine with a surprisingly less oak than you would expect. Enjoy!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
More burgundian than before as the opulent fruit flavors and tangy acidity are tamed by age into a California version of Le Montrachet. For those waiting for this wine to calm down, now is your time. The remainder held until the second day was in decline, so drink over the next 3-4 years IMHO.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
These wines are incredible. This bottle fantastic, with citrus tinged chardonnay fruit and rich mouthfeel balanced by zesty mineral acidity. Finish goes on and on. No sign of age, and the acidity and youthfulness of the flavors shows this is built for the long haul. Lime, lemon, meyer lemon, hints of orange, hints of apricot, seasoned oak, minerals, green apple, mindblowing viscous texture. Long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had to open with the new arrival of Aubert scheduled for this week. Wow was this delicious ... no let down from expectation. Nose of citrus, with some minerality on the nose and a beautiful sense of balance. Flavors of lemon, stones, with a perfect level of acidity to pair with grilled wild scallops. Nice long finish. This is in a great place right now. Will be difficult to keep my hands off the rest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Superb California Chardonnay. Great balance and depth of flavors. Honey, citrus, some tropical fruits and a little smoke balanced by firm but not over the top acidity and a nice mineralality make this wine a real joy to drink. I didn't notice as much caramel this time but still a silky smooth treat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hate to be the lone dissident voice, but as my first sample of Aubert Chard, I was expecting more than what I tasted. I won't argue that the wine was complex and nice, but for the price I was expecting my shoes and socks to go flying. Good balance of minerality, fruit, and floral notes with an obvious depth of flavor...but most certainly California. So if you like California style Chards this wine is definitely for you.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A truly meomorable, outstanding Chardonnay. We drank this bottle with some strong competition for "Best Bottle of the evening." Among these were Harlan Maiden, Tierra Roja Cab, Kistler Cuvee Kathleen, Silver Oak Cab, to name a few.....The Aubert with it's sister Pinot, (08 UV Vineyard) stole the show. The '07 Aubert Ritchie Vineyard was the clear victor. I agree with the other tasting notes, i.e. perfectly balanced, big, but restrained fruit on the attach, butterscotch and vanilla on the long finish with just the right acidity. Grand Cru Montrachet be warned....there's a new Sheriff in town. Finally, taste this wine with it's peers......Kongsgaard, Marcassin, and Kistler, for a real example of the excellence of California Chardonnay....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needs time to aerate... A lot of extracted fruit flavors on the attack, lots of noticeable oak on the tale end. Should last another 5 years, above average to excellent chard, but for the price there are better options.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Showed better than the previous taste. Still an oak monster with low acid and a tropical flavor. Not much to get excited about at all. I have to laugh at Bob's big score. One of the worst values in wine right here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From a magnum. Wonderful. Could have used a decant as it was a little closed. It followed the '96 Marcassin Lorenzo which was more austere and complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big, delicious, balanced wine. Deep golden color, Shared this with a group of local winemakers. It was much appreciated and the only white. My favorite California Chard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely the best chardonnay I've had in some time! Flawless balance & mouth feel. The oak is totally integrated - Why can't any other CA winemaker accomplish this? Ripe fruit but I would not say "fruit forward". Incredible complexity. I'd have to rank this up against great white Burgundies to make it a fair fight. My first bottle of this. A bit pricey at $80 / bottle ($93 with shipping and Wis tax) but I don't think I'll be passing on my allocation of this. Good bye Kistler - hello Aubert! Wow! Wow! Wow!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
tasted blind, though i brought it. love this wine. oaky (med toast), classic aubert lemon oil, brioche. med(+) finish, with a tiny bit of heat after 30s. med(+) acidity keeps this extremely fresh. On day 3 the oak was better integrated, and there was no heat on a long finish. Wonderful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Double blind. Knock out wine. Oak on nose with darker honey color. The lemon oil and zest is tremendous. Palate with grapefruit and more lemon zest. A touch of butter. Nice but subtle acid. Good mouthwatering finish. Aubert Chardonnays absolutely bring the goods!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My first bottle of Aubert. Fairly reticent nose. Ripe tropical fruits layered over light oak. Well balanced with plenty of minerality. Paired nicely with fried chicken. Clearly in the upper echelon of Cali cab producers. Pleasantly surprised by this wine's relative restraint- I will definitely be buying more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow. Think dense ripe pineapple without being too sweet or too rich or too sour. I usually feel this wine is over-oaked, however by the second day all was in beautiful balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
pale gold. Nose seemed acidic-sharp citric-lemons and grapefruits. Taste was in the tweener stage, some oak, citric fruits with a slight acidic kickon the end. I think letting it sit a while yet in the cellar will let it smooth off.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A year since release and the haze is gone from this wine and the color has gone from almost alime green to a beautiful golden color. Gorgeous nose of tropical fruit and toasted almonds. This is a well balanced wine, it successfully pushes the boundaries of ripeness without going over the top. Medium acidity, and lenghty finish. A guilty pleasure.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cloudy golden yellow. Lemon cream, tropical fruits and minerals on the nose. Lemons, minerals, other citrusy fruits, a hint of pineapple, and a very nice acidic/bitter aspect. Very Very delicious. Hard to believe this is 15+% alcohol as it shows no heat (to me) nor is it ponderous and heavy. A friend once described a young grand cru white burgundy as being like the hippo ballerinas in Fantasia -- huge bruisers, but incredibly elegant and light on their feet -- that description fits this wine as well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This chard lived up to expectations. How brilliant it is to get the oak but not TOO oaky. Absolutely balanced fabulous finish. I don't know about all of those spices and fruits other reviewers are noting (I think they're making it up), but this is a fabulous, and expensive, chard from a great producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great chard. The nose was primarily citrusy with lemon and lime notes and a touch of butter. The palate was concentrated with citrus, nut and oak flavors. I also noted some pineapple on the mid-palate and finish. Overall, this wine exhibited nice depth and concentration without being over oaked and also had a relatively light mouth feel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I found this wine to be over-rated. Somewhat one dimensional, mostly citrus and lemon on the palate. Solid chard but not worth the money. I found the acidity to be a bit disjointed and rough on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lemons and apples on nose. Beautiful, substantial body from start to finish. Not much different in flavors than many other good chardonnays we've had lately - except that it had an extremely elegant, non coarse feel that many have lacked. Best Aubert Ritchie for us so far.
The nose was dominated by a stoney minerality but had a touch of lemon as well. The thing that wowed us all was that it started like a traditional California chardonnay on the palate, with a creamy mouth feel. It had some nice notes of melon and hazelnut but after the attack, it showed a really nice steely minerality. It also had a nice creme brulee note at the end. Reminded me a grand cru white burgundy. We all found this quite interesting and more than lived up to its lofty reputation.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine just doesnt do it for me. I tried it ice cold, I tried it room temperature. Cellar temp, everything you could think of and there is no really enjoyable way of drinking this that doesnt make it seem like the alcohol is too high, the wine is out of balance with the acidity and fruit and that there is anything enjoyable about it. I have 4 bottles left, but might as well try and sell them because this does me no good. Disappointing. Anyone wanna buy this year's allocation?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wonderful wine. Pale golden color with delicate flavors of citrus, pear and floral. When first opened and quite chilled it was closed with little flavor but as it warmed slightly it opened up into a real show stopper. Acted almost like a fine red in the way it opened. Nice long smooth finish with a touch of glycerin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ok, this is really getting very, very good. Yum, Yum. Lemon. Grass. Perfectly balanced. My daughter smelled a little cinnamon, mangoes and lime, but she is 8. I did not smell these things, except perhaps the lime. Whatever the case, this is really, really, really, nice. Paired perfectly with fresh lobster and fresh grouper. Ahh, perfect to get in the mood for opening ceremonies tonight. Glad I just got my allocation from Aubert for more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bursting with energy and flavor...we served this slightly cooler than normal and it was stunning. I wish I had cooled another bottle. Lots of mineral content with this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
pale yellow-gold. Nose was much creamier with vanilla, mango and citrus in the background. Taste was smooth, creamy, mouthfilling, citric with vanilla cream.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was a notch above the crowd. Perfectly balanced. Not too much oak. Just the right amount of butter, acid and complexity. Some nice underlying fruit. Wine making at its best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
nice -- oaky profile, but nice lemon oil and citrus. mineral and green apple notes. medium (+) finish is very pleasant and does not show heat despite the high alcohol level.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic Aubert Ritchie in every way. Slight green chorophyl note on the color. Big, thought still a bit tight, nose. Wonderful young energetic fruit with good balance on the palate. One of the great (at this point young) Cali chardonnays. 94-95 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This needs to settle down a bit. An interesting contrast to the Lauren. This has much higher minerality and is almost Chablis-like - not crushed oyster shell minerals but they are clearly there with nice acidity. The Lauren is a more creamy and is a style that I would describe as more American, while this is getting to be more Burgundian. A very enjoyable wine but I think it should get some time in the bottle which will bring out the fruitiness, which seemed a bit light to me compared to previous Aubert chards. My wife commented on oak at the back end, but I did not notice it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
ripe pears and good citrus. The palate showed good light acidity and an extremely long finish. Nice mouthfeel and good-balanced. It was my first Aubert and I found it very interesting. Not too much oak or buttered popcorn.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lemon custard, and citrus zest, with a creamy mouth feel. These are wonderfully textured wines which are a step above. This bottling a little simple now so at the low end of the range. But absolutely a delight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cloudy yellowish-green hue. Very disjointed at this point, fruits are reticent and completely overpowered by oak. maybe this will come around with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not nearly as massive as the 07 Lauren. Fruit is shutdown. Good balance. Too much oak and vanilla. No elegance. Would be decent if this was a $20 bottle but in the context of $80 a bottle this is a ripoff. Give it some time and hopefully it improves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another weekend of Excess; 8/21/2009-8/24/2009 (Chicagoland): Outstanding aromatics of lemon/lime, ripe pear, butter cookie, and some wet rocks. Fantastic richness on the palate. Great texture and core of minerality. Like a grand cru White Burgundy. Absolutely delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Double decanted 4.5 hours ahead of time. Light gold/pale green color with a burst of fruit with light acidity. Smooth and complex, a hint of alcohol on the end but worth opening to check it out young and while I agree it needs a year or three, it showed well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slightly tight nose that eventually opened to tropical fruits and honeysuckle. Beautiful palate follows through and continues to a caramel mid palate and a long finish. Silky smooth mouthfeel but has a nice spine of acidity that allows it to work well with food. This is a fairly big wine that still has a feel of lightness about it. It is a delicious wine that will last for years, luckily I have two more bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought to Cafe Juanita and it paired beautifully with the food. Initially a bit closed but with time the aromatics came through. Color is bright straw with a tinge of green...slightly cloudy. Great fruit - ripe but not over the top. Lengthy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
tasted within the context of a vertical 03-07. slightly withdrawn, even closed, but with superior component structure/framework for the future. a complete chardonnay that i recommend cellaring for 3 years to achieve potential. 94+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big...............Cali Chard that has a ton of fruit, oak, and a bit of acidity. Probably needs a couple years to mellow out and really shine, but still fun to drink now. Enjoy!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pale yellow. Young nose involves some oak, spices, florals and citrus. Taste was a young Aubert Chard, emphasis on young. Needs at least another year. Put a plus after the score.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another beautiful bottle tonight at Mozelle's. Solid nose and tastes of pineapple, guava, minerals, lemon oil and custard. Extremely complex offering, could probably use a bit of age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Hazy gold color. Full bodied almost heavy mouthfeel. Interesting complex nose of toast, honey, lemons, and pineapples. The pineapple with honey flavors move to the fore mid-palate. A touch of heat on the finish detracts from the overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tight, with brimming fruit and solid structure. This followed a 2005 HdV and handily bested it. A great wine poissed to improve over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bit cloudy upon pouring; still extremely young, but clearly extremely well made. As noted below, very well balanced; integrated oak and fruit. Long finish. Eager to see what some additional bottle age will yield. My first Aubert and certainly not my last.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Absolutely on par with other Aubert offerings, this is showing perhaps a bit less concentrated than the others from this vintage, but still head and shoulders above 99% of the competition. A delicious, balanced wine with vanilla tinged citrus flavors, this is already delicious. A touch of heat and slightly short midpalate (for now) are the only minor detractors. Long, full finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright, bright, bright. Lots of apple, pineapple, and citrus. Went well with dungeness crab melts.Will wait a couple of years to drink the rest. Overall shows great promise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Alcoholic, Unweildy. I hope this is just a dumb phase that this is going through, because otherwise I am going to be disappointed with this allocation. I get some of the ripe orange marmalade and some of the well integrated oak, but the acid balance as well as the alcohol put this wine in mediocre territory. Especially for 90.00 USD delivered, its making me wish I bought White Burg!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
If a chardonnay can still be young, this is one. An extraordinarily complex rich wine. Frangrant nose with hints of apple and pear and peach. So many flavors swirling around including lemon, peach, apple, vanilla and more. The finish is lingering but delicate. This blew away 2002 Chateau des Rontets Clos Varambon Pouilly-Fuisse, 2004 Eric Forest Haut de Crays Vieille Vigne Pouilly-Fuisse and 2004 Jordan Chardonnay. Paired with shrimp apetizers. A resounding hit with the entire RE Mogul wine dinner participants. With 10 bottles remaining, I am looking forward to enjoying this wine over the next several years to see how it evolves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Gold with a greenish hue and a bit murky. The wine is very complex on the nose with nuts, sherry, apples, lemon, lime, vanilla, oak, and some alcohol. On the palate, the wine is full, rich, viscous, and bright. It’s weight is lifted by a bracing acidity. It is long, ample, and quite hedonistic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Loved it. I had expected great things from this bottle after reading some of the comments and I do agree that this Chardonnay is top level. It went over well at the tasting groups weekly dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
My first Aubert and it lives up to the promise. Terrific with the whitefish appetizer before an early Easter dinner. Kept getting better and more complex every fifteen minutes in the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First bottle of Aubert. I hereby declare the best chardonnay I have ever had. Not sure anything is close. Spectacular nose of pear, vanilla, pineapple and silk. Smooth, complex tastes of lemon oil, white peaches, smoke and custard. A knock out!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/26/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Winefool Going Away Party and Cellar Depletion (Jack's Bistro - Chicago IL): Tasted 2 days ago, note from memory. I haven't tasted this since shortly after release, and it is holding up well. Ripe and mature, with enough brightness to hold it upright with its very good concentration.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2023 - dhammer53 wrote:
Great wine. My #1 white of the night. Golden color and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2023 - soyhead wrote:
tasted blind, advertised as Burgundy but Alexander the great saw though the disinformation and called it Aubert. Impressive! very clearly toasted marshmallow here. rich rich but not monotonous. With my limited experience I get more pleasure out of the Aubert chards after 15 years in bottle. too burly when young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2022 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 90 Points
Out of magnum. Darker in color, storage problem? Good fruit on the palate, good finish. Drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2022 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Clean and clear color, so youthful and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2022 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Stunning. Good color, floral and scented. Long finish, just a great treat.Drink/hold for <5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2021 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Despite a crumbly cork, decanted for 30 min and WOW. Stunning color for its age, citrus, mellow with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2021 - jlgnml wrote: 88 Points
Not the best btl, darker color, slightly oxidized, probably not stored right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2021 - jlgnml wrote: flawed
First in a long time, just not a well stored bottle. Thick on the palate, darker color and funky nose. Down the sink😂
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2021 - SpoochMan Likes this wine: 92 Points
Was a gift from a friend years ago and got a bit lost in the cellar. Popped it open thinking it might be shot, but it drank well. It's a big, powerful chardonnay, with high alcohol, and not really my general cup of tea for white wines to drink with food. But I could really appreciate it for what it was, rich and complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2020 - BastardMontrachet Likes this wine:
I början väldigt amerikansk och ekfatad dominans med underliggande varm frukt, oerhört balanserad då de 15.1% inte märks av, fin syra fortfarande och utvecklades väldigt mycket med tid i glaset, faten lugnades ned och fram kom en fin frukt, exceptionell längd!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/16/2020 - PortFanatic wrote: flawed
Maderized. Bummer. The last bottle was spectacular. I knew something was suspicious just from the color.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2020 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wife’s only complaint was I should have decanted the wine first to let it breath...she was right. Awesome finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2020 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Degustateurs Penfolds Grange (My home with social distancing): Stellar showing after the first bottle was off.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2020 - jlgnml wrote: flawed
Degustateurs Penfolds Grange (My home with social distancing): Flabby
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2020 - jlgnml wrote:
Flawed
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2020 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 97 Points
Zoom evening with estate director Philip Gift. Beautiful, youthful color, warmed up in the glass over time, drank over 2 hours, simply magnificent for a CA aged chard. My style. Plenty more in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2020 - jlgnml wrote: 93 Points
Darker oxidized color but oh so good. Swirl of luscious fruit and cold stone. Lively on the palate and a good finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2019 - Deadhead wrote: 90 Points
Very good, not great. Perhaps it's best days are past...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2019 - ejca Likes this wine:
Found a stash, still pretty good, lots of fruit and good balance, probably seen better days.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2019 - jsmorris707 wrote: 95 Points
SO'd for 30 min, deep gold, creamy lemon with some vanilla; delicious & ready to drink, but no rush
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2018 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfectly stored since release. This has a very dark golden color. Aromas of roasted nuts, lemon meringue, papaya and touch of lime. Flavors of lemon, nut, vanilla and touch of lime. Ends with mineral and nut driven finish of about 35-40 seconds. Got some heat on this too. The big fruit in its youth is gone, replaced with secondary characters. Think I missed the sweet spot I like it in but interesting to see the transformation. Definitely not dead.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2018 - ASG24 wrote:
Traditionally, this is my favorite of the Aubert vineyard designates, and my note of a year ago calls this wine “liquid gold.” (In my opinion, Aubert [along with Morlet and Littorai] creates among the most “Burgundian” California Chardonnay, if that expression is at all meaningful.) A year has made a difference, at least in this bottle. Still wonderful, but perhaps it has lost a bit of its luster. The initial nose is of dried apricots, orange peel, and Aubert’s trademark smoky citrus. My wife says she smells, “richness,” with no vineyard pun intended. In the mouth, it is a bit thinner than I recall, but still has Aubert’s signature citrus oiliness, just less of it, with notes of lemon, a touch of vanilla, some petrol, and a touch of candied ginger. It still has the structural backbone to stand up to food, and the finish is long and fine. After time, the nose reminds me of orange blossom honey. Still a great wine, but I fear it’s perhaps past its peak as everything is a bit candied compared to how it was not that long ago. With all that in mind, the bottle emptied fairly quickly.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2018 - Labrador Likes this wine: 90 Points
Another lovely bottle of Aubert Chardonnay!
On the 2nd day, it started to show its age but only ever so slightly.
All in all - very exjoyable.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2017 - Deadhead wrote: 91 Points
Very good, but I think I prefer this wine with a little less age on it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2017 - andolini wrote: 90 Points
Golden color. This is very different at this age compared to when it was first released. Mellowed, not as much tropical fruit. Instead I found petrol and confectionary notes with a touch of heat. Very smooth but I think I like these young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/21/2017 - kenv Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brought by Mike Grammer open from last night. Lovely nose of vanilla spice and a hint of tropical fruit. Thick and voluptuous on the palate. Long finish of nutmeg and slate. Classic California chardonnay. Delicious with assorted cheeses.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2017 - M DU VIN Likes this wine: 95 Points
From magnum. This wine has aged wonderfully with no signs of oxidation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2017 - ASG24 Likes this wine:
An amazing wine, liquid gold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2017 - retired_and_roving Likes this wine:
Tasted double blind. On the nose some petroleum aromas. On the palate very crisp and light, bright acidity and totally dry. No idea what this was and surprised it was chard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2017 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Tampa Spring Break (the second); 2/17/2017-2/19/2017 (Various spots (homes, Mis en Place, Capital Grille)): Keeping with the theme of I'm not a chard drinker. This was clearly chardonnay and the extra age with this vineyard (perhaps plus combined with a fairly warm year) meant that this was chardonnay in all of it's glory with that really tough aftertaste. Could taste more of the oak here. So not for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2016 - Deadhead wrote: 92 Points
Rich and complex...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2016 - sevo wrote: 86 Points
On opening this bottle, significant oak aroma. The oaky nose remained the entire time the bottle was consumed. Taste of wine had nice white fruits and good acidity.
Would drink this over the next few years, or gift to those friends who love the oaky California Chardonnay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2016 - marshalc Likes this wine: 96 Points
Very much in agreement with post 4/22/2016 by WALKERJFW.
Lovely color, nose, depth, and character. Sonoma style. Can't see it improving any more, and likely in a nice decline. Has that aged character, and in my view at its peak there so best to enjoy it now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/12/2016 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Out of magnum on a hot and humid night along Lake Michicgan. 2+lb lobster to pair with a 2013 Iron Horse Chardonnay. Deep and rich color, good mineralogy, tropical fruit, tasty, developed long into the glass. Thankful to know I have 2 mags in the cellar and will be in no hurry to drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2016 - ejca wrote:
Way past it prime
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2016 - walkerjfw wrote: 95 Points
Last bottle from this stash. Chilled and splash decanted, drank over an hour. First wine of the evening...
Deep gold color, aging nicely. Nose had orchard fruits, citrus/zest, burnt sugar, honey, oak. Rich and rounded palate, peaches, citrus, apricot, creme brulee, Creamy mid palate, long finish. Some heat coming through at the end (ABV 15.1%) suggesting the fruit may have peaked. Great texture and extraction on this wine...
Really gorgeous Chardonnay, nicely balanced and aged well. We drank from goblets which I found allows the aromatics on a wine like this to develop better in the glass. I would also give this a better decant than we allowed, the last sips were the best... Doubt that it will add more complexity, would drink over next 2 years...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2016 - Topper wrote:
My third and last bottle of this and just beginning to move past its prime. Still some fine sweet fruit but starting to be overtaken by the oak and there is some oxidation taking place in the bottle. Still recognizable but pushing past its optimal drinking window. For me these Aubert chards seem best around 5-6yrs from the vintage.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2015 - xtenson Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had this with thanksgiving dinner...held very well to the strong and varied flavors of the meal. Perfect balance of acid and sugar, strong mouth feel, heavy weight, golden apricot flavors with a bit of minerality. Very fine aging.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/29/2015 - MarkC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fabulous California Chardonnay. Showing hints of age (in a good way) but still fresh and ripe and full of body. Look forward to trying this at 10/12/15 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2015 - Topper wrote: 94 Points
Very fine wine, showing no fading at 7 years. Big butterscotch brûlée flavors coming form the oak with some sweet honey and even a touch of lychee. A California attempt at Corton Charlemagne which isn't quite that but still very fine wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2015 - MLD70 Likes this wine:
Uncorked for an hour then decanted for 20 minutes before serving. Big wine, and while I paired with lobster tails poached in butter and champagne, it really needed something like a chicken or pasta dish. Plenty of acidity holding it all together, but in the end more oak than fruit kept it from being a favorite.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2015 - jhngo Likes this wine: 88 Points
very good for a cali chard just a little bit rich. typical cali.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2014 - Sovinator Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fabulous wine. Definitely one of the best Chardonnays made in US in my opinion. Great depth and complexity of flavor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2014 - emzee.mc wrote: 95 Points
The Aubert was popped and poured with very thick legs with Justin at home. The wine had a golden straw color. On the nose, the wine had very concentrated and expressive notes of coconut, butter, crème brûlée, peaches and honey. Great extraction. The structure was multi-layered and the wine was effortless, despite the strong presence of alcohol (15.1% ABV!). On the palate, there was a strong honeyed taste supported by straw, butter, peaches, citrus and soy. Finish was very long and the alcohol burn was still apparent but without much acidity. Incredibly charming stuff from Aubert nonetheless.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2014 - buckeye76 wrote: 98 Points
AMAZING, RICH FRUIT IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR, CITRUS, APPLES, TOUCH OF OAK. VERY COMPLEX CHARDONNAY WITH A LONG FINISH.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2014 - pakabear Likes this wine: 94 Points
Best one so far in the vertical, great extraction yet very good balance. Not as complex as some of the other Aubert Single Vineyards but this is damn tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/21/2014 - jlittel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Full bodied, creamy, light hints of herbs and citrus. Served with Coquille St Jacques. Perfect accompaniment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2014 - carsgar wrote: 95 Points
Outstanding taste - elegant, rich, with a delightful floral aftertaste. Drinking perfectly now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/8/2014 - naimthattune wrote: flawed
Corked
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2014 - Italiana Likes this wine:
Last bottle in the cellar and it delivered just as much pleasure as the first. Remarkable wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/16/2014 - Italiana Likes this wine:
A fantastic bottle. Full-bodied, assertive, and refined, it gave enormous pleasure with its balanced fruit and acidity. Very rich and giving--delivered everything promised--and therefore not only a good bottle, but a good value.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2014 - jbro Likes this wine: 95 Points
I drank this last night--all of it. Each sip reminded me that, at their best, Aubert wines are the equal of any produced anywhere. Not buttery, not mineral, rather a balanced style that was absolutely delicious. Beautiful shining yellow color with surprising legs. Multi-citrus nose with subtle floral notes. Given the nose, I was surprised that citrus did not dominate the palate--it was there along with apricot and pear flavors whose richness reminded me of a smoothie. Long, long finish. Lauren has been my favorite Aubert, but this could give Lauren a run for the money. 07's are gone, 08's are next.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2014 - Italiana Likes this wine:
A marvelous bottle, firing on all cylinders, with plenty of life in it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2014 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Marks duckhouse – Beaucastel VV, Le Pavillon & a lot of domestic wines (Marks duckhouse, Falls Church, Va): For me, Aubert Chardonnays have a lot of everything and this is no exception. Ripe yellow fruits, smoke, white pepper and sesame coming from oak. Excellent concentration, bright acidity, strong presence of mineral expression and long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2014 - Pearls_b4Swine wrote: 94 Points
Brilliant; letting this age was a geat move.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/11/2013 - calodo2011 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same rating both times. Wonderfully knitted, seamless, almost syrupy but in a positive way. Some think that Mark is the premier Burgundian grape vintner in California; I am in total agreement.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2013 - Italiana wrote:
Interesting to taste this with extra bottle age: missing the crisp acidity of its youth, but mellow and flavorsome.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2013 - NY Wino wrote: 97 Points
Light golden yellow, delicious nose if tropical fruit and stone, this wine was amazingly smooth with excellent fruit, acidity and a finish that went on and one. Drinking great.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2013 - SaysNuts wrote:
Great compliment to chicken in cream sauce. What a treat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2013 - SteveHyde Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last bottle, and while it is showing signs of age - less angularity and vibrancy than earlier bottles, this is still a Chardonnay that is head and shoulders above almost any other US Chard I've ever tasted. Great stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2013 - Italiana Likes this wine: 92 Points
A lot going on here -- rich and buttery, with plenty of fruit and acid to balance. Nearly bombastic compared to the delicacy of the white burgundy from the night before.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2013 - PeterH Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent, but Big, Calif Chard. Very much in the 'Marcassin' or 'PM' style.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/26/2013 - Topper wrote: 93 Points
Frankly, I just don't have enough Aubert chardonnay. These never fail to please with rich, warmer side chard notes, voluptuous texture, lovely fruit (in this case citrus and pear) and a terrific finish. I don't know another US brand that produces consistently better chardonnay. Just have to figure out where to get more of their wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2013 - Amerique wrote: 95 Points
Wow! Such a spectacular wine. Rich, creamy, delicious citrus fruit with nutty, and vanillin flavors, excellent structure, ample acidity and length, this wine just keeps getting better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2013 - JimN wrote: 93 Points
Existing notes are indicative. The more I drink these Auberts the more I am convinced that 5-7 years is the ideal window. They hold up well over time, but they lose vivacity and minerality. Drink.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2012 - Harry Cantrell Likes this wine: 92 Points
light gold. Nose was buttery, vanilla, citrus. Took me momentarily back to the Chards of the 80s when everything was all about butter. Taste was more citrus and vanilla. Smooth. I think drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2012 - curtr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rich and lots of character.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2012 - Amerique wrote: 95 Points
Rich, delicious, full-bodied citrus fruit with loads of tropical flavors, truly a great chardonnay
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/20/2012 - PSUSteve wrote: 94 Points
At a charity event so not sure how long it was open but at least an hour. Very cloudy. This had layers and layers of citrus with a very long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2012 - MayValley wrote: 94 Points
Nose is dominated by exotic fruit... mango, pineapple and orange zest. There is also a note of smoke and some vanilla.
The palate is again filled with exotic fruit but also a nice acidic structure and butter. Medium long finish with a little hit of alcohol in the end. This wine has developped into a beautiful chardonnay, less opulent now than when it was released.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2012 - johnh1001 wrote: 92 Points
Oaky nose with honey, lemon and vanilla. Similar on the palate. A little heavy and the acidity seemed a little lacking. Medium finish. Oily texture.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2012 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
HDH auction tasting at Tru; 6/22/2012-6/23/2012 (Chicago, IL): I'm not that well-versed in California wines, but the nose comes across closest to a Meursault. Gentle oak, with some notes of lemon curd and maybe egg custard. On the palate, this is quite buttery, but definitely this does not taste like a Meursault. Ripe yellow stone fruit flavours and a slightly hot and disjointed finish. Delicious, but the need for a little bit more acidity makes this slightly cloying and difficult to drink a lot of. Very full bodied. You can feel that >14% alcohol.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2012 - rosenst1 wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Initially tasted at cellar temperature and this was quite closed on the nose. On the palate this was about power and not grace; strong flavors of oak with some citrus/vanilla bean notes and a bit hot. Did not come across as having the balance I usually associate with both Aubert and Ritchie which usually exists because of the low yields and vinification and despite the high (15.1 abv) alcohol. Perhaps too young or just not of the better Aubert efforts. Will see how it does after a day.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/30/2012 - sdezutti wrote: 95 Points
vanilla, roasted caramel, crem brulee on the nose. Very aromatic & full bodied. I wasn't picking up a lot of 'fruit' notes, mostly notes of oak influence. I didn't taste the citrus fruit that people say are typical of this wine. But, paradoxically, it did not taste over-oaked, but well balanced and full of flavor, which told me that there was big fruit in there. Impressive wine- more fruit/minerality would have given this a very high score from me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2012 - brich wrote: 95 Points
If you read my previous notes you will see how beautiful and balanced this chard is. It just keeps getting better. Don't drink it too cold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2012 - jeff nowak wrote: 94 Points
second bottle of the night with consistent excellence.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2012 - jeff nowak wrote: 94 Points
superb showing, and highly favored by our guests. so much so that a second bottle was opened and drunk with consistent notes. peach, lemon curd, marmalade, a bold expression of the domestic grape that i find well balanced and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2011 - jasonh wrote: 92 Points
Showing much better than the 08 Lauren. A fairly rich nose but showing more than just butter. Some nice minerality goes with this from start to finish. Ripe and somewhat big but it wears it well. Seems to have everything in balance to continue to develop.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2011 - mellison wrote: 90 Points
Really enjoyed the first two bottles but this one was almost "over the hill". Lost its crispness and acidity so kind of mushy. Maybe just this particular bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2011 - tp096255 wrote: 93 Points
---
COLOR: Deep, brilliant golden honey
NOTE: Big nose of ripe pineapple, clover honey, candied lemon peel, browned marshmallow and even a whiff of banana, tinge of heat (15.1% abv mostly hidden). Mouth has nice opulence with beautiful, dry white peach, lemon zest and vanilla bean cream. The finish is much more about the cream and marshmallow than the fruit. Fine with me!
DECANT: 1-4 hours
GLASS USED: Bordeaux
TASTE: 9.3
OTHER:
COST: 84
VALUE: 8.2
PREVIOUSLY TASTED: 08/10
TRY AGAIN: now - 2015
PAIRING: n/a
Inquiries can be addressed to troypeterson@usa.net
---
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2011 - WetRock wrote:
EWG Dealer's Choice (A/K/A Bistro, Pasadena, CA): I'm surprised to see another note on this wine by me in June as it is quite different from this tasting. This tasting was different from what I've come to expect from an Aubert Chard anyways. Nose of saline and lemon custard. Light bodied without the richness I've come to expect from these wines making it almost elegant. Almost as the finish was cleft with a touch of heat. Other tasters claimed they noticed a lot of oak but again, this didn't strike me as being strongly oaked as they normally do. I have to say I liked the lighter body of this even if it didn't come together in total.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2011 - smphelps wrote: 91 Points
This was the last of these and made me wish I had put some up for 10 years. Last note was a little more than two years ago, and strikingly little change since that time. Still looks, feels and tastes youthfull. Thicker viscosity than many, and highly aromatic nose still showing toast, honey, lemons and pineapple. Add some meyer lemon, melon and pear as you sip, that linger in a long finish. The alcohol is more intergated now but still a tad distracting. This is good no doubt, but the 2008 and 2009 vintages have hit me better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2011 - WVWine wrote: 95 Points
Drinking this from a magnum, I wished my favorite chardonney producers would bottle more magnums.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2011 - pismo45 wrote: 92 Points
Seems much younger than a bottle we had over a year and half ago. Good fruit with lively acidity - extremely well balanced. I'll wait a couple more years before trying another one. Seems like it could be a great ager.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2011 - ews3 wrote: 94 Points
BerserkerFest NYC (Peking Duck House, NYC): always nice -- more oak and toast on this bottle than i remember from past bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2011 - AccaDacca wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful floral notes with a creamy richness. Some oak, but not overdone at all.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2011 - suburbanfrog wrote: 93 Points
Tight upon opening, but really started to open in half hour. Then the butterscotch really started to come through. Mouthwatering acidity. Would strongly recommend opening an hour or two ahead or decanting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/8/2011 - brich wrote: 94 Points
Fabulous Chardonnay. Not too much oak, beautifully balanced. Close to peaking.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2011 - cookie7 wrote: 95 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Honeysuckle and cantaloupe on the nose. Rich and unctuous, notes of melons, honey, apples and minerals on the palate. Finish that lasts 30 plus seconds.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2011 - Deadhead wrote: 94 Points
We are not big fans of Chardonnay... but this was very, very nice! Nice acicdity that balanced well with the layers of fuit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2011 - gutt22 wrote:
This is a standout Chardonnay. Bright yellow color. Pretty nose of apple, fig, spice, and oak. In the mouth, concentrated and richly delineated, with apple, pear, fig, apple pie spice, and a creamy, oaky texture. The acidity gives a nice kick, and the finish is long and smooth. A-/A
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2011 - wdb001 wrote: 96 Points
First '07 Aubert for me and this is a fantastic bottle of wine. Layered flavors of citrus, honeysuckle, orange blossom. Nice balance, beautiful texture, lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2011 - dcwino wrote: 95 Points
Impromptu Sunday Bordeaux gathering at Ruth Chris Tysons Corner, VA (Ruth Chris Tysons Corner, VA): Impressive concentration, the wine has settled, some minerality but not dominant. It was served slightly too warm but still showed well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2011 - cortoncharlie wrote: 90 Points
Very light color and old world nose. Quite rich and good dose of wood. Some minerals and acidity to keep the balance but just a touch too much heat on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2011 - Eros Coniglio wrote: 88 Points
Over oaked popcorn.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2011 - WetRock wrote:
EWG: Decadence (Conrad Green's Abode): Nose shows some sulfur, smoky wood and lemon chiffon with some heat. Sweet and pretty palate. Very even though very rich. Definitely on the decadent side of whites. Doesn't speak to me but I do get that people love these.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2011 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 93 Points
Gold. Nose of Vanilla, oak, cinnamon, citrus. Taste was similar with vanilla, citrus mouth. Oak is in the background. Nice Cal Chard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2011 - agbailey wrote: 94 Points
Spectacular. Great acidity and citrus flavors, and a terrific, long finish. Young still. Should be even better in another year or so?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2011 - eSchrag wrote: 95 Points
Wow...simply spectacular! Has everything that's great about CA Chardonnay. Tons of rich honeyed fruit with a bit of acidity and a crazy long finish. Very balanced wine with a surprisingly less oak than you would expect. Enjoy!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2011 - mellison wrote: 98 Points
May be the best Chardonnay I've tasted. Perfectly balance with subtle flavors of lemon, lime and gooseberries. Acid an fruit were in perfect harmony.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2011 - ginfizz wrote: 94 Points
More burgundian than before as the opulent fruit flavors and tangy acidity are tamed by age into a California version of Le Montrachet. For those waiting for this wine to calm down, now is your time. The remainder held until the second day was in decline, so drink over the next 3-4 years IMHO.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2011 - ginfizz wrote: 95 Points
These wines are incredible. This bottle fantastic, with citrus tinged chardonnay fruit and rich mouthfeel balanced by zesty mineral acidity. Finish goes on and on. No sign of age, and the acidity and youthfulness of the flavors shows this is built for the long haul. Lime, lemon, meyer lemon, hints of orange, hints of apricot, seasoned oak, minerals, green apple, mindblowing viscous texture. Long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2011 - wpd wrote: 93 Points
Same as previous notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/4/2011 - agbailey Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had to open with the new arrival of Aubert scheduled for this week. Wow was this delicious ... no let down from expectation. Nose of citrus, with some minerality on the nose and a beautiful sense of balance. Flavors of lemon, stones, with a perfect level of acidity to pair with grilled wild scallops. Nice long finish. This is in a great place right now. Will be difficult to keep my hands off the rest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2011 - silton wrote: 94 Points
Citrus custard, kiwi fruit, vanilla smoke, some minerals and enough acidity to balance out the rich profile, typically great Aubert Ritchie.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2011 - D.Callahan Likes this wine: 95 Points
Superb California Chardonnay. Great balance and depth of flavors. Honey, citrus, some tropical fruits and a little smoke balanced by firm but not over the top acidity and a nice mineralality make this wine a real joy to drink. I didn't notice as much caramel this time but still a silky smooth treat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2011 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 93 Points
pale yellow. Nose of lemon curd and citrus, vanilla. Taste the same with an acid lift. Young and nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2011 - arniec wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful nose. Very integrated. Smooth from attack to finish. Lovely flavor; nice acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2011 - massar wrote: 90 Points
Hate to be the lone dissident voice, but as my first sample of Aubert Chard, I was expecting more than what I tasted. I won't argue that the wine was complex and nice, but for the price I was expecting my shoes and socks to go flying. Good balance of minerality, fruit, and floral notes with an obvious depth of flavor...but most certainly California. So if you like California style Chards this wine is definitely for you.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/12/2011 - aroby wrote: 94 Points
Rich, lush, exotic. Wonderful balance. Classic Aubert.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2011 - MLwine wrote: 95 Points
Just a flat-out spectactular California chardonnay. Rich but incredibly complex and interesting, this wine is terrific.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/19/2011 - S. Lorin wrote: 94 Points
delicious, simply a superior california chardonnay with everything i love - zing, citrus, lemon, acidity, vanilla, layered and elegant - no butter!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2011 - WVWine wrote: 95 Points
Drank this along side the Peter Michel 2007 la Carriere. While similar, this was the clear winner tonight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2011 - dst wrote: 96 Points
What a terrific wine! A smooth, very well balanced chardonnay, not the typical California chard. A great surprise!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2011 - Bacchusboy wrote: 95 Points
A truly meomorable, outstanding Chardonnay. We drank this bottle with some strong competition for "Best Bottle of the evening." Among these were Harlan Maiden, Tierra Roja Cab, Kistler Cuvee Kathleen, Silver Oak Cab, to name a few.....The Aubert with it's sister Pinot, (08 UV Vineyard) stole the show. The '07 Aubert Ritchie Vineyard was the clear victor. I agree with the other tasting notes, i.e. perfectly balanced, big, but restrained fruit on the attach, butterscotch and vanilla on the long finish with just the right acidity. Grand Cru Montrachet be warned....there's a new Sheriff in town. Finally, taste this wine with it's peers......Kongsgaard, Marcassin, and Kistler, for a real example of the excellence of California Chardonnay....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2011 - markhicken wrote: 95 Points
Superb. Beautiful purity of fruit. Wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/20/2011 - Saaghee wrote:
Wow!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2010 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 94 Points
Yellow. Nose a mellow mix of vanilla, lemon curd,citrus. Taste was the same, smooth. Nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2010 - Nedder_travels_the_world wrote: 95 Points
excellent powerful citrus fruits, great acidity. could last easily 5-10 more years, minerality on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2010 - pakabear wrote: 94 Points
Needs time to aerate... A lot of extracted fruit flavors on the attack, lots of noticeable oak on the tale end. Should last another 5 years, above average to excellent chard, but for the price there are better options.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2010 - chetlee wrote: 94 Points
Soft, smoot
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2010 - madeiradog wrote: 92 Points
Dinner with Herwig Janssen (Blue Duck Tavern): Buttery, smoky nose that coats the tongue with huge fruit with a touch of vanilla and hazelnut.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2010 - the godfather wrote:
oaky and tropical
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/27/2010 - JOsgood wrote:
Showed better than the previous taste. Still an oak monster with low acid and a tropical flavor. Not much to get excited about at all. I have to laugh at Bob's big score. One of the worst values in wine right here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2010 - Amerique wrote: 94 Points
Very soft, smooth, creamy, delicious citrus fruit with vanillin oak and mineral flavors, fruit a little tight, needs time in bottle to fully mature
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/16/2010 - plitton wrote: 94 Points
From a magnum. Wonderful. Could have used a decant as it was a little closed. It followed the '96 Marcassin Lorenzo which was more austere and complex.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2010 - elamasters wrote:
Outstanding. Very well balanced. Great depth. Long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/20/2010 - wpd wrote: 93 Points
Big, delicious, balanced wine. Deep golden color, Shared this with a group of local winemakers. It was much appreciated and the only white. My favorite California Chard.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2010 - wine guy wrote: 96 Points
Absolutely the best chardonnay I've had in some time! Flawless balance & mouth feel. The oak is totally integrated - Why can't any other CA winemaker accomplish this? Ripe fruit but I would not say "fruit forward". Incredible complexity. I'd have to rank this up against great white Burgundies to make it a fair fight. My first bottle of this. A bit pricey at $80 / bottle ($93 with shipping and Wis tax) but I don't think I'll be passing on my allocation of this. Good bye Kistler - hello Aubert! Wow! Wow! Wow!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2010 - cookie7 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Outstanding!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2010 - ginfizz wrote: 93 Points
A bit closed, but oh so tasty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2010 - ews3 wrote: 94 Points
tasted blind, though i brought it. love this wine. oaky (med toast), classic aubert lemon oil, brioche. med(+) finish, with a tiny bit of heat after 30s. med(+) acidity keeps this extremely fresh. On day 3 the oak was better integrated, and there was no heat on a long finish. Wonderful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2010 - jrobs7777 wrote: 94 Points
Double blind. Knock out wine. Oak on nose with darker honey color. The lemon oil and zest is tremendous. Palate with grapefruit and more lemon zest. A touch of butter. Nice but subtle acid. Good mouthwatering finish. Aubert Chardonnays absolutely bring the goods!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2010 - caboychuck wrote:
Big nose of orange blossom and honey suckle. Flavors match nose with lovely acidity. Love these wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/19/2010 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 93 Points
Pale gold. Nose of vanilla and citric spice. Taste was smooth, vanilla, citrus, mellow,rich. Nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2010 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 93 Points
My first bottle of Aubert. Fairly reticent nose. Ripe tropical fruits layered over light oak. Well balanced with plenty of minerality. Paired nicely with fried chicken. Clearly in the upper echelon of Cali cab producers. Pleasantly surprised by this wine's relative restraint- I will definitely be buying more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2010 - ginfizz wrote: 92 Points
No notes taken
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2010 - mebydef wrote: 95 Points
Wow. Think dense ripe pineapple without being too sweet or too rich or too sour. I usually feel this wine is over-oaked, however by the second day all was in beautiful balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2010 - brich wrote: 94 Points
This wine is so good it's still a 94 when consumed in plastic cups at a BBQ!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2010 - ianinvirginia wrote: 92 Points
DCWineDinners' (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcwinedinners/) Pinot Noir Dinner at Dino (Dino Restaurant, Washington, DC): Tasted next to the top-heavy 07 Hobbs Ritchie, this showed much more balance, nuance and elegance. Lightly toasted apple and lemon nose, mouth has some quince and nuts, but then a grassy/tea thing comes in on a very long finish. More Chablis in style than expected.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2010 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 92 Points
pale gold. Nose seemed acidic-sharp citric-lemons and grapefruits. Taste was in the tweener stage, some oak, citric fruits with a slight acidic kickon the end. I think letting it sit a while yet in the cellar will let it smooth off.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/2/2010 - ebrown35 wrote: 92 Points
A year since release and the haze is gone from this wine and the color has gone from almost alime green to a beautiful golden color. Gorgeous nose of tropical fruit and toasted almonds. This is a well balanced wine, it successfully pushes the boundaries of ripeness without going over the top. Medium acidity, and lenghty finish. A guilty pleasure.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2010 - ews3 wrote: 94 Points
Great Grapes for a Great Cause SQN Tasting -- 3rd Annual; 5/7/2010-5/8/2010 (Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC): Nice young Aubert -- lemon oil, oak, ripe apple. medium (+) finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/29/2010 - Greg Pierce wrote:
Cloudy golden yellow. Lemon cream, tropical fruits and minerals on the nose. Lemons, minerals, other citrusy fruits, a hint of pineapple, and a very nice acidic/bitter aspect. Very Very delicious. Hard to believe this is 15+% alcohol as it shows no heat (to me) nor is it ponderous and heavy. A friend once described a young grand cru white burgundy as being like the hippo ballerinas in Fantasia -- huge bruisers, but incredibly elegant and light on their feet -- that description fits this wine as well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2010 - brich Likes this wine: 94 Points
This chard lived up to expectations. How brilliant it is to get the oak but not TOO oaky. Absolutely balanced fabulous finish. I don't know about all of those spices and fruits other reviewers are noting (I think they're making it up), but this is a fabulous, and expensive, chard from a great producer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2010 - wineaux2 wrote: 94 Points
Great chard. The nose was primarily citrusy with lemon and lime notes and a touch of butter. The palate was concentrated with citrus, nut and oak flavors. I also noted some pineapple on the mid-palate and finish. Overall, this wine exhibited nice depth and concentration without being over oaked and also had a relatively light mouth feel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 86 Points
I found this wine to be over-rated. Somewhat one dimensional, mostly citrus and lemon on the palate. Solid chard but not worth the money. I found the acidity to be a bit disjointed and rough on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2010 - Brannigan wrote: 95 Points
Delicious. Best Ritchie vineyard Chardonnay from Aubert that I have had so far.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2010 - pismo45 wrote: 94 Points
Lemons and apples on nose. Beautiful, substantial body from start to finish. Not much different in flavors than many other good chardonnays we've had lately - except that it had an extremely elegant, non coarse feel that many have lacked. Best Aubert Ritchie for us so far.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/13/2010 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 94 Points
The nose was dominated by a stoney minerality but had a touch of lemon as well. The thing that wowed us all was that it started like a traditional California chardonnay on the palate, with a creamy mouth feel. It had some nice notes of melon and hazelnut but after the attack, it showed a really nice steely minerality. It also had a nice creme brulee note at the end. Reminded me a grand cru white burgundy. We all found this quite interesting and more than lived up to its lofty reputation.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2010 - ginfizz wrote: 94 Points
Solid and citrusy, a little more complex than before, and better integrated.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2010 - KristianT wrote: 96 Points
Great wine. Fantastic elegance. So European in its style. Besides Kongsgaard, this is the best Californian Chardonnay I have ever had.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2010 - Willmerson wrote: 88 Points
This wine just doesnt do it for me. I tried it ice cold, I tried it room temperature. Cellar temp, everything you could think of and there is no really enjoyable way of drinking this that doesnt make it seem like the alcohol is too high, the wine is out of balance with the acidity and fruit and that there is anything enjoyable about it. I have 4 bottles left, but might as well try and sell them because this does me no good. Disappointing. Anyone wanna buy this year's allocation?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2010 - mellison wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful wine. Pale golden color with delicate flavors of citrus, pear and floral. When first opened and quite chilled it was closed with little flavor but as it warmed slightly it opened up into a real show stopper. Acted almost like a fine red in the way it opened. Nice long smooth finish with a touch of glycerin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2010 - A&C wrote: 94 Points
Ok, this is really getting very, very good. Yum, Yum. Lemon. Grass. Perfectly balanced. My daughter smelled a little cinnamon, mangoes and lime, but she is 8. I did not smell these things, except perhaps the lime. Whatever the case, this is really, really, really, nice. Paired perfectly with fresh lobster and fresh grouper. Ahh, perfect to get in the mood for opening ceremonies tonight. Glad I just got my allocation from Aubert for more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2010 - Double D wrote: 96 Points
Bursting with energy and flavor...we served this slightly cooler than normal and it was stunning. I wish I had cooled another bottle. Lots of mineral content with this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2010 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 94 Points
pale yellow-gold. Nose was much creamier with vanilla, mango and citrus in the background. Taste was smooth, creamy, mouthfilling, citric with vanilla cream.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/9/2010 - A&C wrote: 92 Points
This was wonderful. Big, rich, with some oak, but not too much. Really tasted great when the appetizers arrived.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2010 - Clarkmeister wrote: 97 Points
Huge hit at dinner with KT, Canada, Doug and Carissa.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2009 - RedLoverJim wrote: 93 Points
Dinner at Mi Piaci (Mi Piaci, Dallas, TX): Amazing flavors of buttered popcorn. Notes of citrus and oak, but not so oaky as to be out of balance. Great bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2009 - A&C wrote: 95 Points
This was a notch above the crowd. Perfectly balanced. Not too much oak. Just the right amount of butter, acid and complexity. Some nice underlying fruit. Wine making at its best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2009 - ews3 wrote: 93 Points
nice -- oaky profile, but nice lemon oil and citrus. mineral and green apple notes. medium (+) finish is very pleasant and does not show heat despite the high alcohol level.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2009 - winefool wrote: 94 Points
Classic Aubert Ritchie in every way. Slight green chorophyl note on the color. Big, thought still a bit tight, nose. Wonderful young energetic fruit with good balance on the palate. One of the great (at this point young) Cali chardonnays. 94-95 pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2009 - J @ y H @ c k wrote: 92 Points
This needs to settle down a bit. An interesting contrast to the Lauren. This has much higher minerality and is almost Chablis-like - not crushed oyster shell minerals but they are clearly there with nice acidity. The Lauren is a more creamy and is a style that I would describe as more American, while this is getting to be more Burgundian. A very enjoyable wine but I think it should get some time in the bottle which will bring out the fruitiness, which seemed a bit light to me compared to previous Aubert chards. My wife commented on oak at the back end, but I did not notice it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2009 - stanford88 wrote: 92 Points
ripe pears and good citrus. The palate showed good light acidity and an extremely long finish. Nice mouthfeel and good-balanced. It was my first Aubert and I found it very interesting. Not too much oak or buttered popcorn.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2009 - rthun wrote: 95 Points
Cloudy, straw-yellow color. Nice mouth feel. Flavors of crushed stones, buttered popcorn, lemons and tropical fruits. Excellent chardonnay. Drinking great right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2009 - ginfizz wrote: 93 Points
Lemon custard, and citrus zest, with a creamy mouth feel. These are wonderfully textured wines which are a step above. This bottling a little simple now so at the low end of the range. But absolutely a delight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2009 - assaf wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic. Great balance and length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2009 - mebydef wrote: 95 Points
Great wine here. It's big and overt but damn good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2009 - sosgoodjhu wrote:
Cloudy yellowish-green hue. Very disjointed at this point, fruits are reticent and completely overpowered by oak. maybe this will come around with time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2009 - JOsgood wrote: 87 Points
Not nearly as massive as the 07 Lauren. Fruit is shutdown. Good balance. Too much oak and vanilla. No elegance. Would be decent if this was a $20 bottle but in the context of $80 a bottle this is a ripoff. Give it some time and hopefully it improves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/21/2009 - MatthewF wrote:
Another weekend of Excess; 8/21/2009-8/24/2009 (Chicagoland): Outstanding aromatics of lemon/lime, ripe pear, butter cookie, and some wet rocks. Fantastic richness on the palate. Great texture and core of minerality. Like a grand cru White Burgundy. Absolutely delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2009 - nicu2001 wrote: 93 Points
Double decanted 4.5 hours ahead of time. Light gold/pale green color with a burst of fruit with light acidity. Smooth and complex, a hint of alcohol on the end but worth opening to check it out young and while I agree it needs a year or three, it showed well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2009 - D.Callahan wrote: 95 Points
Slightly tight nose that eventually opened to tropical fruits and honeysuckle. Beautiful palate follows through and continues to a caramel mid palate and a long finish. Silky smooth mouthfeel but has a nice spine of acidity that allows it to work well with food. This is a fairly big wine that still has a feel of lightness about it. It is a delicious wine that will last for years, luckily I have two more bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/31/2009 - winenewb068 wrote: 93 Points
Brought to Cafe Juanita and it paired beautifully with the food. Initially a bit closed but with time the aromatics came through. Color is bright straw with a tinge of green...slightly cloudy. Great fruit - ripe but not over the top. Lengthy finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2009 - jeff nowak wrote: 94 Points
tasted within the context of a vertical 03-07. slightly withdrawn, even closed, but with superior component structure/framework for the future. a complete chardonnay that i recommend cellaring for 3 years to achieve potential. 94+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/17/2009 - lewrose@gmail.com wrote:
Drank with lobstah at Moby Dick's in Wellfleet. Paired beautifully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/16/2009 - sumshark wrote:
Needs another year to integrate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/3/2009 - kanab ram wrote:
Extremely well rounded and compares to some of the best white Burgundies.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2009 - jjclips2 wrote: 93 Points
Over the top ripe and rich. Aromatics are full of fresh cream, concentrated tropical fruit compote. The palate lacks acid, but is full of rich fruit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2009 - eSchrag wrote: 94 Points
Big...............Cali Chard that has a ton of fruit, oak, and a bit of acidity. Probably needs a couple years to mellow out and really shine, but still fun to drink now. Enjoy!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2009 - rael007 wrote: 96 Points
Sumptuous, thick, good acid, great balance. What a superb wine. Great with Parisian gnocchi from Keller's Bouchon cookbook.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2009 - Harry Cantrell wrote: 92 Points
Pale yellow. Young nose involves some oak, spices, florals and citrus. Taste was a young Aubert Chard, emphasis on young. Needs at least another year. Put a plus after the score.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/21/2009 - ginfizz wrote: 93 Points
This is all yuzu with other citrus oil hints. Delicious, needs time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/3/2009 - orcharddude22 wrote: 95 Points
Another beautiful bottle tonight at Mozelle's. Solid nose and tastes of pineapple, guava, minerals, lemon oil and custard. Extremely complex offering, could probably use a bit of age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2009 - smphelps wrote: 91 Points
Hazy gold color. Full bodied almost heavy mouthfeel. Interesting complex nose of toast, honey, lemons, and pineapples. The pineapple with honey flavors move to the fore mid-palate. A touch of heat on the finish detracts from the overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2009 - mtennenbaum wrote: 93 Points
Tight, with brimming fruit and solid structure. This followed a 2005 HdV and handily bested it. A great wine poissed to improve over the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2009 - Eros Coniglio wrote: 94 Points
Oaky when opened, nose of buttery pineapple with a bit of smoke and well balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2009 - LJV wrote: 91 Points
Bit cloudy upon pouring; still extremely young, but clearly extremely well made. As noted below, very well balanced; integrated oak and fruit. Long finish. Eager to see what some additional bottle age will yield. My first Aubert and certainly not my last.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2009 - ginfizz wrote: 93 Points
Absolutely on par with other Aubert offerings, this is showing perhaps a bit less concentrated than the others from this vintage, but still head and shoulders above 99% of the competition. A delicious, balanced wine with vanilla tinged citrus flavors, this is already delicious. A touch of heat and slightly short midpalate (for now) are the only minor detractors. Long, full finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2009 - Kmonkey wrote: 93 Points
Bright, bright, bright. Lots of apple, pineapple, and citrus. Went well with dungeness crab melts.Will wait a couple of years to drink the rest. Overall shows great promise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2009 - Willmerson wrote: 90 Points
Alcoholic, Unweildy. I hope this is just a dumb phase that this is going through, because otherwise I am going to be disappointed with this allocation. I get some of the ripe orange marmalade and some of the well integrated oak, but the acid balance as well as the alcohol put this wine in mediocre territory. Especially for 90.00 USD delivered, its making me wish I bought White Burg!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2009 - tgkswine wrote: 96 Points
See previous review.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2009 - tgkswine wrote: 96 Points
If a chardonnay can still be young, this is one. An extraordinarily complex rich wine. Frangrant nose with hints of apple and pear and peach. So many flavors swirling around including lemon, peach, apple, vanilla and more. The finish is lingering but delicate. This blew away 2002 Chateau des Rontets Clos Varambon Pouilly-Fuisse, 2004 Eric Forest Haut de Crays Vieille Vigne Pouilly-Fuisse and 2004 Jordan Chardonnay. Paired with shrimp apetizers. A resounding hit with the entire RE Mogul wine dinner participants.
With 10 bottles remaining, I am looking forward to enjoying this wine over the next several years to see how it evolves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2009 - mebydef wrote: 95 Points
Once again, outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2009 - mebydef wrote: 95 Points
Gold with a greenish hue and a bit murky. The wine is very complex on the nose with nuts, sherry, apples, lemon, lime, vanilla, oak, and some alcohol. On the palate, the wine is full, rich, viscous, and bright. It’s weight is lifted by a bracing acidity. It is long, ample, and quite hedonistic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2009 - brynmair wrote: 97 Points
Loved it. I had expected great things from this bottle after reading some of the comments and I do agree that this Chardonnay is top level. It went over well at the tasting groups weekly dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2009 - yovinny wrote: 96 Points
WOW. Pineapple and mineral nose. Crisp acidity, pineapple & peach nuances. Lingering, enjoyable finish. As good as it gets!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2009 - northwood wrote: 96 Points
My first Aubert and it lives up to the promise. Terrific with the whitefish appetizer before an early Easter dinner. Kept getting better and more complex every fifteen minutes in the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2009 - mattiasjansson wrote: 89 Points
Didn't show much - probably opened this way too early. I'm a big fan of the Aubert chards so I'll let these sit for a bit.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2009 - orcharddude22 wrote: 98 Points
First bottle of Aubert. I hereby declare the best chardonnay I have ever had. Not sure anything is close. Spectacular nose of pear, vanilla, pineapple and silk. Smooth, complex tastes of lemon oil, white peaches, smoke and custard. A knock out!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2008 - rourkem wrote: 95 Points
Best bottle of Chardonnay I've ever had. Cloudy. Creamy, unique. Could be enjoyed either with food or on it's own. Completely smooth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment