2011 Aubert, Chardonnay “CIX” Sonoma Coast.
Sometimes, even though you don’t want to like something ( a wine or producer), because it gets a lot of hype or a certain critic loves it or every body wants, but you still end up loving it, Aubert Chardonnay is the wine, regardless of personal feelings, this is great wine. Better still, from a difficult vintage and up against heavy expectations, this 2011 CIX from Aubert was especially stunning, tasted from a magnum at a holiday party (Jan. 2014) this was terrific stuff and beautifully rich and detailed, smooth lush and vibrant from start to finish. Marc Aubert, after stints at Peter Michael and Colgin, is one of California’s big stars and his wines are scarce and highly prized, while gifted at Pinot Noir and Cabernet, it is his Chardonnay wines that make him a super star and are his calling card. The 2011 vintage can winemakers nightmares and while there were many fine efforts it was certainly not a great year, though Aubert succeeded in crafting some amazing Chards, and I really enjoyed this CIX, which I had never had prior, this Sonoma Coast offering shows wonderful depth and creaminess, but also life, intensity and vivid fruit with nice acidity and mineral notes to go with pear, lemon and apple fruits, plus pineapple, fig, clove, wet stones, brioche, salted butter and vanilla. A nice mouth filling Chardonnay from a gifted winemaker, no question, the 2011 CIX is drinking great now, best from 2014 to 2018.
($75-139 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive
