2006 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Mark Aubert’s 2006 Chardonnay Ritchie is more of a pairing of similarities rather than opposites. The 2006 Ritchie is resonant and generous in the glass, with plenty of butter and tropical-inflected overtones that play off the richness of the lobster beautifully. Showing no signs of fading, the 2006 should continue to drink well for at least a handful of years.
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
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There are just over 200 cases of the 2006 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard. Displaying a more evolved style than usual, it offers up notes of buttered hazelnuts, lemon oil, honeysuckle, and a hint of spice. Drink this full-bodied, rich Chardonnay over the next several years. (Not yet released) It is hard to find better Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs than those created by Mark Aubert under his Aubert label. Aubert’s resume is outstanding, having previously worked under Helen Turley. He also served as chief winemaker at Peter Michael as well as at Colgin, making Bordeaux blends and Syrah. In addition to producing his own wines, he is currently the winemaker at Bryant Family Vineyards. Aubert’s extraordinary Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are fashioned from cool climate sites on the Sonoma Coast. In 2006, he only produced two Chardonnays because of botrytis in the vineyards. Employing a ruthless selection process, he had the courage to totally declassify vineyards with which he was not happy. There are two Aubert Pinot Noirs produced, one from the Reuling Vineyard that represents a 50-50 blend of the so-called Calera Clone and a clone from the most famous vineyard in Vosne-Romanee (legal issues prevent anyone from naming this grand cru vineyard). The other Pinot Noir comes from the UV Vineyard, named after the brilliant viticulture manager, Ulises Valdez. In spite of Aubert’s brilliance with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, he has not yet hit a home run with his Bordeaux blends from David Abreu’s vineyard on Howell Mountain. Tel. (707) 942-5611; Fax (707) 942-1573. Note: Prices are 2 to 3 times higher in the secondary market than the winery’s retail.
Good full medium yellow with a green tinge. Fruit-driven aromas of pineapple, pear, citrus peel and hazelnut. Fleshy, fat and oily, with a thickness of texture leavened by fresh flavors of pineapple and nectarine. Very densely packed and long. Aubert hasn't missed a beat with his Ritchie bottling, which is consistently one of California's elite chardonnays.
About the producer
The Aubert wines, particularly the Chardonnay, have a cult following – beloved for their rich, hedonistic style. Created by Mark and Theresa Aubert in 1999, the property makes some of California’s most sought-after Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all from single vineyards across Sonoma.