Aubert CIX Estate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
The CIX Vineyard Chardonnay embodies everything we seek in a Chardonnay – distinctive aromatics, coupled with Goldridge soil that lends a varied richness and breadth. The aromatics reflect the soil influenced minerals with White Burgundian nuances. Winemaker notes The 2024 CIX Chardonnay is stately and expansive, blossoming aromatically with a beguiling mix of orchard fruits, peach, apple turnover, and almond. Further notes of lemon balm, orange oil, and wildflower honey emerge with time. Broad and profound, on the palate the 2024 CIX expresses a tremendous amount of intensity and power with an upfront wave of ripe apple and lemon flavor, followed by a complex mix of floral and pastry tones. On the finish, the wine showcases the fresh natural acidity and sweet, earthy minerality unique to this cool, late-ripening site, acting as a counterpoint to its upfront richness and volume. This multifaceted cuvée is endowed with all the elements necessary for long, rewarding ageing in the cellar and will continue to develop additional complexity over the next 15 years or more. The wine is slightly hazy, showing our commitment to minimal intervention winemaking. - Mark Aubert 2023 Vinous 96-98: The 2023 Chardonnay CIX Estate is one of the most complete wines in this range. Aromatically intense, textured and silky, the 2023 CIX brings together all the elements that make these Chardonnays so appealing. Lemon oil, hazelnut, dried flowers and lightly honeyed notes all grace this resonant, expansive Chardonnay. The CIX is often one of my favorite Aubert Chardonnays, as it is once again in 2023. Wine Spectator 98: Epic and aromatic, with hints of flint, dried mango, blood orange puree and lemon cheesecake. The acidity provides an appealing backbone for the supple mix of pear pastry, caramelized brown sugar, peach preserves and lemon verbena. The fresh, energetic finish shows hints of white tea. 2024 Vinous 96-98: The 2024 Chardonnay CIX Estate is seriously impressive. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2024 hits the palate with layered, intensely mineral-driven fruit. Orange peel, chamomile and floral-infused honey all build in the glass. Readers will find a deep, potent Chardonnay endowed with tremendous power and textural resonance. This is one of the very finest CIX Chardonnays I have tasted. Magnificent. Lisa Perrotti-Brown 98: The 2024 Chardonnay CIX Estate zips out with eager-to-please notes of lemon tart, Granny Smith apples, and lime blossoms, plus underlying suggestions of wet slate and peaches and cream. The super-concentrated, full-bodied palate is stacked with stone fruit and citrusy layers, supported by a crisp backbone and satiny texture, finishing with incredible length and depth. Wow. Drinking Window: 2027-2042. Wine Spectator 95: Starts off subtle at first, with fresh and juicy Asian pear, crunchy star fruit and Meyer lemon flavors. This expands into a more remarkable and complex wine, with notes of lemon confit, Danish butter cookie, apricot confections and crunchy sea salt. Shows plenty of energy and freshness on the finish. Drink now through 2038. 1,487 cases made.