Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
As part of my white wine flight theme, I wanted to compare Hyde and Hudson side by side, then finish with Kongsgaard, since it is a blend of both.
While more opulent in style compared to the Larry Hyde before it, this isn’t as full throttle as Hudson’s of old used to be. With almost 6yrs on it, this was fresh and fairly light on its feet. Same sweet aromatics of cotton candy, marzipan, and lemon cream. It’s rich/oily on the palate, but it doesn’t feel heavy or dense. Honeyed tropical fruits and baking spices with a nice, mildly sweet finish. I’m surprised to say this seems freshly bottled…tasty now though. — 9 months ago
Always like the Phelps Syrah. Big Phelps week for me. — 4 years ago
Such a great Merlot. One of the reasons we fell in love with this winery.  — 2 months ago
Two years since my last bottle, and the time definitely helped elevate the overall profile.
Annual anniversary opening of an Aubert as they are my wife’s favorite (and certainly up there in favorites for me as well).
The inaugural vintage for Park Avenue, this is a wine that bursts in to the room Kramer-style. No trepidation in profile for a first vintage wine, Park Avenue screams Aubert all day with some of the hallmarks of others in the lineup. To me, this seemed like a marriage of Larry Hyde (more acidity; bright) and CIX (more opulent; power). In the glass, I was surprised how clear this poured, and not the typical slightly cloudy look I’m used to. Aromatics of white peach, lemon scone, baking spices, and sea salt. The palate has Aubert richness and signature lemon cream, as well as a good vein of acidity (similar to LH, maybe also Powder House). Toes the line slightly toward elegant vs power (Lauren, CIX). Gorgeous mid-palate texture, lingering finish. Another home-run for the Aubert portfolio. — 5 months ago
This was one of my wines from my annual WWC hosting. The other whites were Bereche Brut Reserve for the champagne, a 2015 Bongran EJ Thevent (burgundy) Chardonnay and a 2017 Moone-Tsai Ritchie Chardonnay.
Color me impressed. I have enjoyed Calera’s pinots quite a bit, but I haven’t had as much experience with the Chardonnay’s. It was almost like a Aubert Larry Hyde “lite”. As this was tasted blind, most guessed this was Chardonnay, but lots of back and forth on where it would be from. Initially, this toed the line between steely and slightly oaked with bright citrus, lemon, clean aromatics…but after an hour in the glass, this really bulked up and sported a down-the-middle type medium bodied profile. Not lean, not powerful. The tart lemon turned to a more lemon cream profile with lots of floral/honeysuckle notes, alongside herb crusted yellow fruits. No problem opening now, but I’d love to try another one of these in a few years. 92+ — 3 years ago
Nice, but I detect this this is on it’s downward swing. Roasted pineapple combines with lychees. soft acidity and baking spices complete a nice presentation. probably better 2 years prior. — 3 months ago
Nice “powdery” smooth Syrah. Delicious fruit without the typical bite of a Syrah. — a year ago
David Peifer
Nice white flower with butter caramel oak finish. Paired nicely with crabcakes on New Year’s Eve.  — 6 days ago