Vinous – May 2022 – 2011 Napa Valley at Age Ten

Mark Aubert showed me a set of stunning 2011 Chardonnays during our most recent tasting, all from magnum. Over the years, I have learned that the Aubert Chardonnays start to show their best with at least a few years in bottle, and they age spectacularly well in magnum. This tasting only reinforced those views. If you are on the Aubert list, do yourself a favor and sign up for magnums. Drinking these wines from the big bottle is one of the great experiences in wine!

2011 Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 97

The highlight in this range from Aubert, the 2011 Chardonnay CIX Estate is fabulous. Bright and focused, the 2011 remains wonderfully fresh and vibrant for a wine of its age. The magnum format surely helps, but wow, what a wine! Lemon peel, crushed rocks, mint, white flowers and white pepper lend tons of brilliance. Readers who are cellaring the 2011 should be thrilled. This is another stunning wine from Mark and Teresa Aubert.

2011 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 96

The 2011 Chardonnay Lauren comes across as shockingly young. The aromas and flavors are those of a wine with some age, but on the palate it is incredibly tight. The 2011 needs quite a bit of time to be at its best, and to release all of its aromatic intensity. As always, the Lauren has a textural dynamism that is incredible distinctive. Tasted from magnum it is fabulous.

2011 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 95

The 2011 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is laced wit hints of dried pear, orange peel, mint, spice, ginger and caramel. The Ritchie appears to be a bit more forward than the other 2011 Chardonnays in this tasting, but has tremendous richness and the viscosity that is such an Aubert signature. Tasted from magnum.

2011 Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Score: 95

Tasted from magnum, the 2011 Chardonnay UV-SL is gorgeous. Tangerine oil, mint, dried flowers, dried herbs and chamomile lend striking aromatic and flavor complexity to this oily, luscious Chardonnay. This is a remarkable showing from vines that were just six years old at the time. The 2011 is a wine to drink now and over the next few years.