Winemaker Notes
#11 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021
The 2019 Eastside bursts from the glass offering intricate aromas of powdered citrus, green apple crumble, dried apricot, lemon thyme, and sorbet. Ripe stone fruits saturate the palate, complemented by mineral nuances, crushed rocks, and a telltale sense of place. A beam of natural acid gives cut and penetration to the long, defined finish. A faint green reflection on the edge of the glass is indicative of the health of this wine. This wine will age gracefully for 10 to 15 years. The wine is slightly hazy showing Aubert's commitment to minimal intervention winemaking.
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesA lovely nose of fresh herbs and ground, peppery spice with fresh flowers, lime leaf and baked citrus. Full-bodied and speckled with white pepper and honeysuckle. Driving and well-balanced acidity is at the center of the palate and makes it hum with fruitful intensity.
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 wound and very finely knit, delivering loads of nuanced layers and a crisp backbone, finishing long and steely. Eastside is a warmer site in Russian River, composed of very rocky, gravelly soils, forcing the vines to really struggle. It is planted to Montrachet clone. Aubert usually harvests this second, after Sugar Shack.
Range: 96-98
This sings with rich toastiness to the ripe, juicy and powerfully structured white fruit and cooking spice flavors that are backed by firm acidity. Buttery mid palate, with a glistening finish that shows accents of dried tropical fruits.
Mark Aubert’s Sonoma Coast vineyard-designate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs have risen in popularity at a dizzying speed. Aubert’s career in winemaking began in 1989 at Peter Michael under the tutelage of Helen Turley, which led to his time at Colgin, Sloan, Futo and then Bryant Family, before founding Aubert Wines with his wife Teresa in 1999. His wines express the essence of singular terroirs with an effortless grace. Mark crafts the wines of Aubert to speak to a variety of wine lovers with one thing in common – selective palates that expect nothing but the best.