2013 Eastside Vineyard Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
A terrific showing, the 2013 Chardonnay Eastside boasts a still light gold color as well as sensational minerality and matchstick aromas and flavors that are hard to find outside of Burgundy. Rich, powerful, and layered on the palate, it has remarkable purity of fruit, integrated acidity, and perfect balance. It’s another magical Chardonnay from Mark Aubert. Bravo.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Chardonnay Eastside is from a vineyard owned by Ulises Valdez, and planted with the Montrachet clone on the very low-yielding rootstock called riparia gloire. This wine displays terrific intensity, plenty of stony minerality, and great precision in its notes of subtle white peach, pineapple, almond paste, brioche and crème brûlée. This is a killer wine and a perfect example of 2013 Chardonnay at its best. I never thought this wine could hit this peak, but the proof is in the tasting, and the wine, which was somewhat shy and reserved after bottling, has truly come to life over the last three to four months. This five-acre vineyard sits on a west-facing hill on Eastside Road in the Russian River. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.
Tight, bright and focused, with an elegant core of zesty, lemon-infused green apple, honeydew and tangerine notes, ending with a pithy grapefruit skin edge. Drink now. 900 cases made.
The 2013 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard is one of the most tightly wound wines in this range. White pepper, crushed rocks, smoke, mint and lemon peel gradually open up, but only with great reluctance. Today, it is the wine's energy and tension that stand out above all else. A vivid, mineral-drenched finish rounds things out in style.
About the producer
The Aubert wines, particularly the Chardonnay, have a cult following – beloved for their rich, hedonistic style. Created by Mark and Theresa Aubert in 1999, the property makes some of California’s most sought-after Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all from single vineyards across Sonoma.