Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of the sexiest Chardonnays in the entire portfolio seems to emerge from the only Napa vineyard Mark Aubert has, the Sugar Shack Estate in Rutherford. The 2013 Chardonnay Sugar Shack offers caramelized apples, brioche, crème brûlée, honeyed citrus, white currants, some liquefied stones, a touch of clove, and fabulous, full-bodied ripeness. This tips the scales at nearly 15.5% alcohol, so it is no wimp. Made exclusively from the Montrachet clone of Chardonnay, it can be expected to drink well for another ten years.
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Wine Spectator
Offers a complex mix of perfumed aromas, with citrus orchard, mango, honeydew, white peach and nectarine notes. Maintains velocity and juiciness, ending long, clean and spicy.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.