For pre-dinner sipping with a collection of artisan cheeses, Bill opened this highly acclaimed ultra-premium Sonoma County single vineyard designated Chardonnay.
Aubert “Eastside” Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2019
This is from acclaimed winemaker, Mark Aubert who gained notoriety as winemaker at ultra-premium producer Peter Michael before launching his own label with wife and fellow winemaker Teresa in 1999.
He has become one of most highly acclaimed producers of classic Chardonnays - see https://www.aubertwines.com/accolades/.
Mark Aubert was raised in St. Helena, Napa Valley and has been producing Napa and Sonoma Valley wines since graduating college. He and Teresa produce a portfolio of ultra-premium Chardonnays including this single-vineyard designated label from Eastside Vineyard, a warmer site in Russian River Valley, composed of very rocky, gravelly soils, forcing the vines to really struggle. It is planted to Montrachet clone.
This was rated an extraordinary 99 points by James Suckling, 98 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Vinous, 97 points and *Top 100 Wines of 2021, Highly Recommended* by Wine Spectator,
This was rated an extraordinary 99 points by James Suckling, 98 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Vinous, 97 points and *Top 100 Wines of 2021, Highly Recommended* by Wine Spectator,
In their May 2024 review, Vinous wrote of this label, “The 2019 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard is a wild, exotic wine. A rush of tropical passion fruit, mint, lemon confit, white pepper and jasmine captivates the senses. Deep and resonant, the 2019 is wonderfully dynamic right out of the gate. The intensity here is just off the charts. This is one the most extroverted, dense wines in the range of 2019 Chardonnays from Mark Aubert.”
Winemaker Notes - “The 2019 Eastside bursts from the glass offering intricate aromas of powdered citrus, green apple crumble, dried apricot, lemon thyme, and sorbet. Ripe stone fruits saturate the palate, complemented by mineral nuances, crushed rocks, and a telltale sense of place. A beam of natural acid gives cut and penetration to the long, defined finish. A faint green reflection on the edge of the glass is indicative of the health of this wine. This wine will age gracefully for 10 to 15 years. The wine is slightly hazy showing Aubert's commitment to minimal intervention winemaking.”
Upon initial tasting, I found this slightly obtuse and bit off-putting, but I was a bit under the weather and my tasting senses were off. Two days later, I tasted the remains in the bottle of the bottle and it was fabulous, elegant and polished.
I would love a do over to revisit this paired with some seafood, salad or soft cheeses. Definitely a treat.
