Aubert
CIX Vineyards Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
I try to keep my hands off these, but they are so incredibly delicious in their youth (most, that is). This was my first CIX from 2017, and I think so far the most accessible would be Hudson and then Powder House.
My wife and I poured about half of this out in to our glasses at pop, and then double decanted the other half and came back to it an hour or so later before consuming over the following hour. In comparison to other Aubert offerings from this vintage, this was the most tart/sported the most lemon type profile. Typical Aubert lemon cream was present here along with smoked marzipan on the nose. The palate, again, was really quite tart showing grilled lemon, salted popcorn kernel, spiced golden delicious apple and honey roasted cashews. The profile here was really powerful. Obviously I opened on the young side, but this shows a lot of aging potential (compared to their Hudson). It came across as a blend of Eastside + Powder House. Good acidity, big phenolics. I’d probably hold (though the double decant did open this up a decent bit), and expect this to jump a few points easily over the next 3-5yrs.
I try to keep my hands off these, but they are so incredibly delicious in their youth (most, that is). This was my first CIX from 2017, and I think so far the most accessible would be Hudson and then Powder House.
My wife and I poured about half of this out in to our glasses at pop, and then double decanted the other half and came back to it an hour or so later before consuming over the following hour. In comparison to other Aubert offerings from this vintage, this was the most tart/sported the most lemon type profile. Typical Aubert lemon cream was present here along with smoked marzipan on the nose. The palate, again, was really quite tart showing grilled lemon, salted popcorn kernel, spiced golden delicious apple and honey roasted cashews. The profile here was really powerful. Obviously I opened on the young side, but this shows a lot of aging potential (compared to their Hudson). It came across as a blend of Eastside + Powder House. Good acidity, big phenolics. I’d probably hold (though the double decant did open this up a decent bit), and expect this to jump a few points easily over the next 3-5yrs.
One of the best Aubert’s we have tasted. We were worried about longevity - no such fear required.
Good depth on the nose, begins with roasted almonds, marzipan and meyer lemons. Palate is sharp, almost edgy. White stone fruits lead the way, followed by beeswax, and caramel. I guess the caramel is a leading indicator to consume these now.
@David L, thanks so much for sharing this great producer with us ✌🏾
One of the best Aubert’s we have tasted. We were worried about longevity - no such fear required.
Good depth on the nose, begins with roasted almonds, marzipan and meyer lemons. Palate is sharp, almost edgy. White stone fruits lead the way, followed by beeswax, and caramel. I guess the caramel is a leading indicator to consume these now.
@David L, thanks so much for sharing this great producer with us ✌🏾
16’ Aubert CIX Chardonnay. Let it open up in the glass for 20/30 minutes. OH my goodness!!!! Incredible Chardonnay. Edit- Will be even better in a year! 
16’ Aubert CIX Chardonnay. Let it open up in the glass for 20/30 minutes. OH my goodness!!!! Incredible Chardonnay. Edit- Will be even better in a year! 
Feb 7th, 2020Not quite as good as the 15. In it’s defense... a bit of time certainly will help.
Not quite as good as the 15. In it’s defense... a bit of time certainly will help.
Jan 10th, 2020Just the perfect spot now! Loving this tonight.
Just the perfect spot now! Loving this tonight.
Oct 24th, 2019
I normally don’t buy a lot of CA Chardonnay as I prefer White Burgundy. Also, I don’t spend at this price point on a bottle of CA Chardonnay. However, the CIX Vineyard is planted from Montrachet clones. I was curious to see how a Montrachet clone would perform in the hands of a revered Sonoma producer.
While this is an excellent CA Chardonnay, I find the strong structure and heavier (not heavy) wood use not in my wheel house. Especially, at this price point. I like the Davis Estates Chardonnay nearly as much and find the Aubert style in it for $36 member price & $48 non-member price. Night and day in terms of price point but, not so much in terms of quality. However, I will say again, this CIX is better, just not the QPR.
It is also a shade hot on the palate & the back of the throat. We’ll see how the other two bottles evolve in successive 2-3 year increments over this bottle tonight.
The nose reveals; Meyer lemon- curd/meringue, lime candy, green apple, underripe, green melon, notes of kiwi, remembrance of lemon pledge, honey, beeswax, honeycomb, vanilla, light caramel, butter, cream, white spice, touch of white pepper, saline, waxiness, limestone minerals, strong powdery chalkiness, herbaceous notes, spring flowers, jasmine, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies with mixed greens.
The body is quite full, thick & waxy. It’s beautifully elegant over the palate. The structure, tension, length and balance are just starting to ascend. Still needs another 2-3 years to show its better self. But, if you have multiple bottles now is a good time to try one. Meyer lemon- curd/meringue, lime candy, green apple, underripe, green melon, very ripe pineapple, notes of kiwi, hints here & there of white peach, buttered popcorn, as it warms near room temperature, add butterscotch, cream, honey, beeswax, honeycomb, vanilla, light caramel, white spice with heat, touch of white pepper, saline, sea spray to sea fossils, waxiness, grassy notes, dry straw, limestone minerals, strong powdery chalkiness, herbaceous notes, spring flowers, jasmine, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies with mixed greens. The acidity is beautiful...round & phat. The long finish is; rich, lush, ripe, elegant, well balanced and persists for several minutes.
If not for the alcohol heat, it would make 94 with a possible 95-96 down the road.
Photos of; Aubert Vineyard at sunset, the rootstock of the CIX Vineyard, Owner-Winemaker, Mark Aubert and I think the CIX Vineyard but, not positive.
I normally don’t buy a lot of CA Chardonnay as I prefer White Burgundy. Also, I don’t spend at this price point on a bottle of CA Chardonnay. However, the CIX Vineyard is planted from Montrachet clones. I was curious to see how a Montrachet clone would perform in the hands of a revered Sonoma producer.
While this is an excellent CA Chardonnay, I find the strong structure and heavier (not heavy) wood use not in my wheel house. Especially, at this price point. I like the Davis Estates Chardonnay nearly as much and find the Aubert style in it for $36 member price & $48 non-member price. Night and day in terms of price point but, not so much in terms of quality. However, I will say again, this CIX is better, just not the QPR.
It is also a shade hot on the palate & the back of the throat. We’ll see how the other two bottles evolve in successive 2-3 year increments over this bottle tonight.
The nose reveals; Meyer lemon- curd/meringue, lime candy, green apple, underripe, green melon, notes of kiwi, remembrance of lemon pledge, honey, beeswax, honeycomb, vanilla, light caramel, butter, cream, white spice, touch of white pepper, saline, waxiness, limestone minerals, strong powdery chalkiness, herbaceous notes, spring flowers, jasmine, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies with mixed greens.
The body is quite full, thick & waxy. It’s beautifully elegant over the palate. The structure, tension, length and balance are just starting to ascend. Still needs another 2-3 years to show its better self. But, if you have multiple bottles now is a good time to try one. Meyer lemon- curd/meringue, lime candy, green apple, underripe, green melon, very ripe pineapple, notes of kiwi, hints here & there of white peach, buttered popcorn, as it warms near room temperature, add butterscotch, cream, honey, beeswax, honeycomb, vanilla, light caramel, white spice with heat, touch of white pepper, saline, sea spray to sea fossils, waxiness, grassy notes, dry straw, limestone minerals, strong powdery chalkiness, herbaceous notes, spring flowers, jasmine, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies with mixed greens. The acidity is beautiful...round & phat. The long finish is; rich, lush, ripe, elegant, well balanced and persists for several minutes.
If not for the alcohol heat, it would make 94 with a possible 95-96 down the road.
Photos of; Aubert Vineyard at sunset, the rootstock of the CIX Vineyard, Owner-Winemaker, Mark Aubert and I think the CIX Vineyard but, not positive.
Bolder style chard as expected. Beautiful wine by itself, but better when paired with seafood, IMO.
Bolder style chard as expected. Beautiful wine by itself, but better when paired with seafood, IMO.
Jan 13th, 2024
My only problem with this wine is it evaporates or something after I open it. It just kinda disappears quickly…. Great length, oily mouthfeel with citrus and flowers. Always a pleasure.
My only problem with this wine is it evaporates or something after I open it. It just kinda disappears quickly…. Great length, oily mouthfeel with citrus and flowers. Always a pleasure.
Oct 8th, 2023Was a bit too cold to start. But after a bit of time to breathe and warm it showed complexity and depth. Lemons minerality a sweetness and a lingering finish. Another excellent Aubert.
Was a bit too cold to start. But after a bit of time to breathe and warm it showed complexity and depth. Lemons minerality a sweetness and a lingering finish. Another excellent Aubert.
May 13th, 2023