Hudson Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay

As customary on our anniversary, my wife always picks Aubert, and as expected, it was consistent (which is why we love Aubert).

Didn’t have time to decant, but I’ve always found Hudson fruit to be generous and giving at a young age. Sometimes it’s rich and unctuous, but this was dialed back just a touch, yet still hedonistic in style. Signature lemon cream on the nose with brown-sugar spiced pear and tropical fruits. Opulent and silky on the palate with waves of yellow herbed fruit, lemon pound cake, nutmeg and toasty oak. Stylistically, I don’t see how this improves, I think it just gets different (that being said, I had an ‘05 Ritchie Chardonnay a few weeks ago that was shockingly youthful, so YMMV).

Consumed as a pop-and-pour, as my wife decided she wanted to drink it ASAP instead of decanting, ha. My previous thoughts hold true that Aubert’s Hudson is consistently the most approachable of the portfolio in its youth.

Yellow-gold in the glass with the slightest tinge of green. Everything about this is undeniably Aubert…aromatics of tropical fruit (pineapple), white peaches, nutmeg, and honey roasted cashews. I find Hudson fruit to normally be big/juicy with an abundance of ripe yellow fruit, and this has it in spades. Aubert’s signature waves of lemon cream with marzipan and spiced green apple on the palate. The acidity seemed more pronounced here than previous vintages at this age, which added a nice backbone to the hedonistic style profile of the wine. Great now, likely great in 5yrs, but this seems ready for corks to be popped!

Wow. Terrific. Just getting into the window but approachable.

16’ Aubert Hudson. Palate is full of ripe pears, peaches, honey almonds, orange blossom, light acidity. Gorgeous wine.
This Chardonnay has got considerably better over the last 12 months. Thinking it will be even better early next year. Drinking window 2021–2026.

Though not the same as it was pre-COVID -19, a handful of us were able to gather (while keeping our distance) to celebrate being back together and opened some fun wines to share. Wine is always better with good company.

En mag. Drinking Aubert in any format is a treat, but this was my first en mag. I think it reinforced my thought that their Hudson chard is the most accessible but also one to not hold as long. While this was drinking wonderfully, I’d imagine in 750 it may start shedding some fruit and entering a different phase. Aromatically it’s less in your face and more elegant with honeysuckle, lemon bar and baking spices. Juicy stone fruits, brown sugar, lemon cream and sea salt wash over the palate. The finish is round and rich as expected with their Hudson. Thanks for opening @Keith Fisher

Wait a few years.

A few fun bottles from last Friday.

This only solidified my thought that Aubert’s Hudson chard is best enjoyed closer to release than their other single vineyard designates. Yellow fruit, powdered sugar lemon bar, and a “juicy fruit” note I commonly associate with Peter Michael chards. Great mouthfeel thanks to rich viscosity and enough acidity to keep it entertaining. Thanks @Dan Fitzgerald

My contribution tonight. Nothing more to add as my previous notes are spot on. It’s lights out and crazy good. A ‘16 Kistler Hudson was poured alongside it and while the comparison was fun, this was the winner for me fairly easily. I also believe this is Aubert’s only single vineyard chard that is best close to release as opposed to aging like their other single vineyard chards.

14’ Aubert Hudson. Hit or miss for me this 2014 from Mark. Not sad that it was my last bottle. Had one very good bottle out of the four I purchased. -at BLT Waikiki, Hawaii

Aside from being a bit boozy, this was open for business. Very surprised. Absolute explosion of sweet and ripe fruit. Lemon cream, lemon tart, mango and white peach juice aromatics; very little acidity. Marzipan and lemon frosted, roasted cashews. Best young Aubert I’ve ever had.