2011 Chardonnay Lauren
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The 2011 Chardonnay Lauren comes across as shockingly young. The aromas and flavors are those of a wine with some age, but on the palate it is incredibly tight. The 2011 needs quite a bit of time to be at its best, and to release all of its aromatic intensity. As always, the Lauren has a textural dynamism that is incredibly distinctive. Tasted from magnum it is fabulous.
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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Aubert's 2011 Chardonnay Lauren Vineyard flows across the palate with hints of butter, marzipan, spices, nectarines and dried apricots. Rich, voluptuous and creamy the 2011 is another of the more overt wines in this range. Still, there is more than enough underlying minerality to balance the fruit. The old Wente and Montrachet clones work well here, but the vines are only 12 years old, which suggests the best is still very much in the future.
Aubert’s 2011 Chardonnay Lauren Vineyard flows across the palate with hints of butter, marzipan, spices, nectarines and dried apricots. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2011 is another of the more overt wines in this range. Still, there is more than enough underlying minerality to balance the fruit. The old Wente and Montrachet clones work well here, but the vines are only 12 years old, which suggests the best is still very much in the future. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2019. Mark Aubert has a brand new tasting room that is intimate and clubby. By the time I got to Aubert, I had tasted most of the Sonoma reference points. With that as a backdrop, these wines stood out for their sheer pedigrees. This is a world-class operation in every way. Because of the late, cool year, Aubert’s 2011 Chardonnays are a bit brighter and more focused than is the norm. In other words, the wines are deeply marked by the signatures of the year. Interestingly, that is not the case with the Pinots, which are pretty much in line with the juicy, generous style Aubert fans have become accustomed to. In contrast to the Chardonnay harvest, in 2011, there were no declassified Pinot lots. One of the developments at Aubert over the last few years is an increased focus on estate vineyards. As part of that trend, readers will see several additions to the range, while Aubert has decided to discontinue his Reuling Chardonnay. Tel. (707) 963-4569
Aubert’s 2011 Chardonnay Lauren Vineyard flows across the palate with hints of butter, marzipan, spices, nectarines and dried apricots. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2011 is another of the more overt wines in this range. Still, there is more than enough underlying minerality to balance the fruit. The old Wente and Montrachet clones work well here, but the vines are only 12 years old, which suggests the best is still very much in the future. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2019. Apr 2013, www.robertparker.com
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.