California Wine

Now this is why people call it bubbly. The first thing you'll notice about any Spumante California Champagne is the massive amount of bubbles pouring out of the bottle. Next time you need a little fizz, or just a sweet alternative... Read More

The 2015 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard offers up floral notes of jasmine and peach blossom over a core of apricot preserves, honeyed toast, beeswax and lemon butter, plus a waft of crushed stones. The palate is just beautiful, possessing... Read More

A barrel sample, the 2019 Chardonnay CIX Estate comes bounding out of the glass with grapefruit, green mango and orange peel notes backed up by wafts of talc, chopped nuts and a lifted, aromatic, floral perfume. It is full-bodied... Read More

From a vineyard that borders the source of Aubert's Lauren bottling, there are 1,200 cases of the 2021 Chardonnay CIX Estate. Matured in 75% new French oak, this review is based on a tank sample awaiting bottling. Planted... Read More

A barrel sample, the 2019 Chardonnay Eastside sails out of the glass with zesty citrus scents of lemons, kaffir lime leaves and mandarin peel with an underlying jasmine perfume and a waft of blanched almonds. The palate is tightly... Read More

The 2015 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard preserves good freshness and aromatic lift, especially for the year. In this tasting, the Eastside presents more of a phenolic character than most of the Chardonnays, with the fruit pushed... Read More

From a somewhat warmer site on thin, volcanic soils overlooking the Russian River, Eastside—originally a collaboration between Ulises Valdez and Mark Aubert—features a Montrachet selection planted on riparia rootstock.... Read More

Coming from Hudson selection, Old Wente clone vines that over 20 years old and planted on the Napa side of Carneros, the 2017 Chardonnay Hudson features super intense notes of freshly squeezed lemon, lime zest, warm apricots and... Read More

The coolest of Aubert's Chardonnay sites, the 2021 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons boasts lovely aromas reminiscent of melon, citrus curd and lime zest. It's full-bodied and creamy, with a silky, custardy mouthfeel and tremendous... Read More

A relatively new vineyard label for Aubert (the third vintage to be produced), the 2019 Chardonnay Powder House comes from eight acres of what are now estate-owned vines planted in 2013 to Hyde Old Wente and Mt. Eden clones on... Read More

Floral, non-fruity hints of crushed stone and talcum powder appear on the nose of Aubert's 2021 Chardonnay Powder House, creating an attractive counterpoint to the wine's honeyed richness and intense white-peach notes.... Read More

The warmest site in Aubert's portfolio, the 2021 Chardonnay Sugar Shack comes from Mark and Teresa's home property on the western side of the Rutherford AVA. Planted in 2008 to a Montrachet selection and managed by David... Read More

A barrel sample, the 2019 Chardonnay UV-SL opens with compelling floral notes—honeysuckle and lime blossoms—over a core of red apples, green guava and honeydew melon with underlying suggestions of baking bread, allspice... Read More

"The grapes for this very approachable Cabernet Sauvignon come mainly from the highly regarded Paso Robles appellation. Aged for 18 months in stainless steel to highlight its berry and plum notes, it finishes with fruity blackberry... Read More