2012 Aubert, CIX Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma County, Bottle (750ml)

RP99 "A wine that stood out for its complexity and intensity was the 2012 Chardonnay Cix Estate. Planted with the Reuling clone of Chardonnay, this vineyard is situated next to the vineyard from which Mark Aubert makes the Lauren Chardonnay. There are only 600 cases of this prodigious wine. The vines were planted in 2007, so this is only the fifth leaf, but, wow, what a Chardonnay. Copious notes of pineapple, mango and guava along with wet stone, caramelized citrus, tangerine and orange marmalade characteristics are followed by a wine with a full-bodied mouthfeel as well as remarkable purity, texture and intensity. One of the most individualistic and greatest Chardonnays I have ever tasted, this amazing wine should drink well for 7-10 years." RP for TWA Dec 2013

"Mark Aubert is one of the contenders for California’s finest practitioner of Burgundian-styled, yet classic, California Chardonnays. His offerings are all made like grand cru Burgundies with full malolactic, the use of French oak and lees stirring, but the purity of fruit, the textural dimensions, and the stunning singularity of these Chardonnays can only be matched by a handful of other Chardonnay producers in the world. He’s that good. Aubert’s 2012s, which I have enjoyed multiple times out of bottle since I purchased most of them, merit the scores I gave them last year. Those include the 2012 Chardonnay Cix Estate (99), 2012 Chardonnay East Side (99), 2012 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons (96), 2012 Chardonnay Lauren Estate (98+), 2012 Chardonnay Ritchie (95), 2012 Chardonnay Sugar Shack Estate (99), and 2012 Chardonnay UV-SL (96). " RP Dec 2014