Napa Valley native and respected vintner Mark Aubert has become a leading figure in California expression of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. While the iconic Chardonnays first brought the winery to prominence, they also make beautiful Pinot Noirs worth exploring. The small, yet highly-acclaimed estate has earned a reputation for their exquisite single vineyard expressions of these styles, cultivating a cult-like following since its founding in 1999.
Aubert Wine Style: Mark Aubert's Distinctive California Voice
Inspired by the immense greatness of Burgundian wines, Aubert established his eponymous winery with the ambition to create wines that could rival the world's finest. The wines quickly garnered acclaim for their full-bodied, opulent character—a style that has become synonymous with the Aubert name. With limited production primarily allocated to select restaurants and a dedicated mailing list, Aubert wines are highly sought-after styles for their exclusivity and their stylistic allure.
Mark Aubert: Trained by Greats, Inspired by Greatness
In addition to consulting for cult Napa wineries such as Bryant, Sloan, and Futo, Mark Aubert received mentorship from the illustrious Helen Turley before succeeding her as winemaker at both Peter Michael and Colgin. This experience not only helped Aubert refine his craft in the production process but also in his development of select sites for sourcing fruit. Today, Aubert Wines sources from a carefully curated selection of premium vineyards throughout Sonoma and Napa, with the estate's portfolio including three premier single-vineyard Pinot Noir wines that showcase the distinctive terroir of the Sonoma Coast.
Aubert Winemaking
Aubert's approach to winemaking is designed to showcase the unique characteristics of each individual site. While he incorporates some aspects of Burgundian winemaking, such as cold fermentations to preserve aromatics, Aubert relies on his extensive training and experience with California-grown fruit to guide him in crafting the finest expressions possible.
Aubert Pinot Noir Vineyards
Aubert's Pinot Noir offerings are captivating and expressive, with nuanced aromatics distinct to each vineyard. Considered their Grand Cru, CIX Estate is the most reminiscent of Burgundy due to its more elegant, cooler-climate expression. The clay soils of the UV vineyard offer comparatively fleshy tannins and a forward aromatic profile, resulting in a generous style. Despite its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the UV-SL vineyard experiences a notably warm climate that allows the grapes to reach optimal ripeness, yielding a wine with surprising fullness across the palate.
Aubert Wine Vintages: 2021 Vintage
The 2021 vintage brought gentle conditions and moderate temperatures to Northern California, allowing grapes to develop aromatics slowly, coaxing out the subtle intricacies true to each individual site. With such focused fruit profile and clarity in vineyard expression, the 2021 vintage is a perfect opportunity to see the range of Aubert Pinot Noirs, whether for immediate enjoyment or long-term cellar aging. No matter if you've experienced the magnificence of Aubert Wines firsthand or have yet to discover these treasures, the 2021 Aubert Pinot Noirs are wines you won't want to miss.
