2018 CIX Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
A barrel sample, the 2019 Chardonnay CIX Estate comes bounding out of the glass with grapefruit, green mango and orange peel notes backed up by wafts of talc, chopped nuts and a lifted, aromatic, floral perfume. It is full-bodied and intensely flavored in the mouth with a lively backbone cutting through the taut, dense citrus and tropical fruit flavors, finishing long and fragrant.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A chewy and structured red with blackberry, dried-strawberry and pine-needle aromas and flavors. Tea leaf. Full and flavorful, yet intense and firm. Tight and reserved. Needs two or three years to open. Better after 2021.
The 2018 Pinot Noir CIX Vineyard is rich and heady. Blueberry, chocolate, espresso and copious new oak (60%) add to a feeling of real density and resonance. Here, too, the tannins are pretty imposing in the early going. This is an especially dark, brooding Pinot. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 finds a bit more finesse with time in bottle.
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.