They are among the best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs out of California. Their “simple” Russian River in 2018 was absolutely killer, frankly better than most of their single vineyard ones, and cheaper. I think it shocked them too. As far as I know it wasn’t even reviewed, but I gave it 96 points myself, and it was a lot more like a Chevalier Montrachet than anything else I have tasted out of California. Haven’t tasted the 2019 version yet. Best to order up and taste them yourself. Haven’t thought much of the critics՚ reviews, although they are usually high. I have heard good things about the 2019 vintage.
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Thanks Alex, good to hear positive things about 2019. I got some of their 2019 Sonoma Coast Chard while on the waiting list earlier this year, but have not cracked that open yet. Have you tried that yet?
For the noobs to the list, prepare yourself for the mother load. Assuming they haven’t changed the way they handle newcomers, you are allocated a crap load as they want to see how much you order and than future release quantities will be based on your initial order amount. I like their Pinot, but rarely buy. I load up on the Chards, and not mad about it. Overall, my favorite New World Chard Producer. And FWIW- great folks. Philip (sales) and Laura (assistant winemaker) are awesome people and very gracious hosts.
The appellation chards can indeed be superb, but as they’re now $75 a bottle plus shipping it’s stretch to call them “simple” CA chards. Yes they’re less pricey than the vineyard designates, but that price point is still quite the luxurious CA white.
I think the appellation Chards are $65 (that’s what I have in CT for my RRV Chards), which is a very reasonable price for quality Chardonnay like that)
Useful information from a fellow berserker (sorry did not know how to directly link to the post)
JF
I had the CIX twice (2016 and 2017) this year (can never bring myself to a order Hudson in the summer for some reason). It’s on the high end for complexity (similar to UVSL), with lots of tropical notes, ginger and hints of carmelized light brown sugar in the background. If you like the Aubert style, CIX is a home run. I’ve kept a vertical of it for a few years now.
I have been on the list since inception in 2000. Absolutely our favorite Chardonnay and one we look forward to each year. They drink well young and age beautifully. Buy what you can and you will not be disappointed.
Cheers! 
Marshall
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Further advice for Aubert noobs:
If it goes anything like previous years, you’d best be at your keyboards and ready to pounce right on time on Tuesday morning, Jan. 12th.
There are things that will sell out within 2-3 hours. Basically everything but maybe some Larry Hyde is usually gone by about 3 p.m. Pacific.
Mercifully, they now have a pre-sale period for longtime list members from Jan 7-12, but if you aren’t eligible for that, get ready for Filene’s Basement on Black Friday.
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I got on the wait list two years ago (12/29/19). I was offered a few chards to tide me over 3 months later. Then I got my first real offer in January, 2020. I bought a case. Then I bought 6 more when they had a second sale. So I ended up with 18 SV Chards. I got my first offer of pinots this past Fall. So It took a year to get the chards and a year and a half to ge the pinots. I’m in the second wave for the next offering, but I had no trouble getting what I wanted a year ago.
The Best Vintages, According to Aubert’s Top Wine Ratings
So what are the best vintages to buy from this swiftly rising California star? The lists below outline the best vintages by variety, in order of highest to lowest wine ratings according to Wine Advocate—with none receiving less than a 96.
Aubert’s Ten Best Chardonnay Vintages
Apricots, pears, sweet spices and nuts, chalky minerals, a hint of citrus—Aubert Chardonnay wines are colorful bouquets of flavors and aromas with excellent balance and finesse. As one review described the top wine listed below:
“The 2017 Chardonnay Lauren Estate starts out with a quiet intensity of ripe pears, apricot tart and spiced apples notes, growing exponentially to reveal a whole spectrum of savory/earthy nuances … Full-bodied, the palate truly lets off the flavor fireworks, giving up loads of citrus, stone fruit, pears and savory flavors plus a racy backbone, finishing very long and very moreish.”
Rating Vintage Vineyard Designation Drinking Window
100 2017 Lauren 2019-2028
100 2015 CIX 2017-2026
100 2015 Lauren 2018-2026
100 2015 UV-SL 2017-2027
100 2013 Eastside 2015-2023
99 2018 Lauren 2022-2030
99 2017 CIX 2019-2030
99 2017 UV-SL 2020-2028
99 2016 CIX 2018-2027
99 2016 Lauren 2019-2028
Honorable mentions: 2016 Eastside, 2012 CIX, 2017 Eastside
Adding to the general fluffing of Aubert:
I had the 2015 CIX Chardonnay last night. It was quite simply the best white wine I’ve ever had, full stop, and I’ve been at this in earnest 25+ years.
The very, very first money budgeted for wine every year is for Aubert. For me, it’s the best bet in the entire oenological casino.
The Pinots might be 5% overhyped (e.g. I think Rochioli is pretty consistently slightly better, but this may be a stylistic preference).
The Chards are, if anything, actually underappreciated.
In for 4 cases + wish !
Prices up on some this year …
Lauren is $120
Larry, Eastside and UV-SL $85
CIX, Sugar Shack and Powder House $100
I went Max Long. That stuff is so tasty…
Wish tax and shipping wasn’t so penal. Adds 15+% to the cost of the juice.
Oh well. 1st world problems.
I like these wines but with a minimum case order I will likely pass this time. If anyone is interested in my allocation PM me and you can have it.
If anyone cares, here are the scores for the Spring release wines from Parker’s Wine Advocate:
2019 Lauren Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $120 (97-100 pts)
2019 CIX Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $100 (96-98 pts)
2019 Powder House Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $100 (97-99 pts)
2019 Sugar Shack Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay $100 (96-98 pts)
2019 Eastside Vineyard Russian River Chardonnay $85 (96-98 pts)
2019 UV-SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $85 (96-98 pts)
2019 Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay $85 (97-100pts)
Carneros for the win!!! ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
LPBs article this morning (behind paywall) also has a scoring note for a 2019 Aubert Chardonnay “Park Avenue”. I hadn’t seen any press on that, but am always excited to try a new site from Aubert. Wonder if it will be released in the summer along with the Hudson (also in the article).
is this 1 case per 1 shipping address min or 1 case total min ?
park ave, from aubert’s site:
2019 Aubert Chardonnay Park Avenue Estate Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 93 – 95
The 2019 Park Avenue Estate is a new wine in the range. It emerges from a 12-acre parcel adjacent to Lauren. It offers a compelling interplay of lemon confit and floral nuances. Naturally, the Park Avenue is not quite as complex or delineated as the other Chardonnays in the lineup, but that will come in time as the vines get older.
That last note and score is Galloni’s.
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