James Suckling, Purity and Zest from Napa and Sonoma – November 2022

The recent releases of Aubert lead the pack in this week’s tasting report with some fantastic chardonnays and pinot noirs.

2021 Chardonnay CIX Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 97 Points

This has such gorgeous fruit character with dried lemon, pie crust, crushed stone, and hints of sea weed. Spicy, like sea salt. Persistent finish. Drink or hold.

2021 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard Russian River
Score: 97 Points

This shows a seductive oily texture with pineapple, lime, lemon, cooked apple, and a little brioche. Some green mango. Lots of minerality. Full-bodied. Layered with amazing acidity. A very contrasting wine with richness and liveliness. Drink or hold.

2021 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard Carneros
Score: 97 Points

Yellow green color. A full-bodied and plush chardonnay with nougat, lemon, lime, hints of chalk. Ginger. Touch of raw pie crust. Vivid finish. Drink or hold.

2021 Chardonnay Lauren Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 98 Points

Salty, lemon rind, lemon curd, stone, and blackboard chalk. Full-bodied. Tight, layered and really fine. Extremely long and compressed. Wonderful sophistication. Drink or hold.

2021 Chardonnay Park Avenue Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 97 Points

Aromas of citrus, apple skin, grape skin, vanilla, and brioche. Full-bodied with an oiliness and acidity that runs so long. Sort of rock and roll here. Tight on the finish. Flinty. Needs time to open. Better after 2023 to 2024.

2021 Chardonnay Powder House Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 97 Points

Love the aromas of lemon-lime, gunpowder, kiwi, and dried lemons. It’s full, phenolic and solid. This is like red wine in structure. Long and persistent. One for the cellar. Give this some time. Best after 2025.

2021 Chardonnay Sugar Shack Estate Napa Valley
Score: 98 Points

So much gunpowder to the lemon rind and cooked apple aromas. Goes flinty. Lemon curd. Some sliced pineapple. Full-bodied with a compacted palate and a glossy texture to it. Very, very creamy. Honey. Candied lemon. Oily, but then goes fresh and zesty. Drinkable now, but will age beautifully.

2021 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 99 Points

Pie crust with brioche, lemon meringue, lime leaf, and blackboard chalk. Very aromatic. Full-bodied, with terrific structure and incredibly complex on the finish with seaweed and umami. Sea breeze, iodine and oyster finish. Superb wine. Drink or hold.

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2021 Pinot Noir CIX Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 98 Points

Very dark fruit here with blackberries, blueberries, salt, mineral, and dark earth. Tile. Full-bodied, with tight and polished tannins. Super depth and structure. Great wine. One for the cellar. Better after 2025.

2021 Pinot Noir UV Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 97 Points

Very intense blue fruits with blackberries and hints of licorice. Flowers, too. Some pepper. Full-bodied with lots of bark, mushroom and forest floor. Creamy and polished tannins. Drink or hold.

2021 Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 98 Points

This is so open with black cherry aromas jumping out of the glass with orange peel coming out. Black ink. Iodine. Oyster shell. Asian plum sauce. Mille-feuille. Medium to full body. Compacted palate with layers of fine tannins.

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2020 Chardonnay CIX Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 94 Points

A tight and fresh white with sliced pear and apple. Light cream and cooked apple. Medium body. Crisp acidity and a subtle finish. Drink now.

2020 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard Carneros
Score: 96 Points

A big and juicy white with cooked apple, pear, honey, and mineral. Flint. Full and layered with a flavorful and delicious finish. Drink now.

2020 Chardonnay Lauren Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 95 Points

Linear and very structured with very fine and structured tannins that give this wine tension and focus. Medium body. Hints of stone and pear. Medium finish. Drink now.

2020 Chardonnay Park Avenue Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 94 Points

A tight and linear chardonnay with dried apples, lemons, honey, sea salt, and white pepper. Medium body. Solid and beautiful. Candied lemons. Drink now.

2020 Chardonnay Powder House Estate Sonoma Coast
Score: 95 Points

A linear and very fine white with lemon pie, nougat, almond, and flint. Medium-bodied, refined and beautiful. Dried lemon and hints of honey. Pretty and delicious. Drink now or hold.

2020 Chardonnay Sugar Shack Estate Napa Valley
Score: 95 Points

A solid and full-bodied wine with dried apple, pineapple, lemon rind, Full-bodied, layered and beautiful. Delicious finish. Drink now.

2020 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 97 Points

A spicy and salty white with cooked apple and honey character. Light vanilla and pie crust. Medium to full body. Flavorful and very long, Excellent intensity and focus. White pepper and fruit at the end. Drink or hold.