100 points - limited Limited new release from cult Chardonnay producer Mark Aubert. 100 Points Robert Parker: "The 2017 Chardonnay Lauren Estate comes from a complex vineyard planted to four different clones: two Old Wente clones, Mt. Eden clone and Corton Charlemagne clone. It has an arresting nose of lemon barley water, white peaches, grapefruit and toasted almonds with touches of croissant, lime leaves, sassafras and allspice plus a hint of candied ginger. Full-bodied and jam-packed with energetic citrus and spice layers, it has a gorgeous satiny texture and fantastic freshness, finishing very, very long with bags of grace!... ...Mark Aubert continues to set the bar incredibly high for the world-class quality of his Burgundian-styled, remarkable Chardonnays, which come from relatively cool sites spread from Rutherford in Napa Valley to the far reaches of the Sonoma Coast. As I indicated last year, Aubert is at the top of his game, and it is hard to believe any Chardonnay winemaker in the world is turning out a half-dozen Chardonnays at this qualitative level year in and year out. He has had an incredible run of great success, after being mentored by none other than the reclusive and supremely talented Helen Turley when he took over the winemaking job at Peter Michael, then proceeded on to impressive sojourns at Colgin Estate as well as Tom Futo’s winery in Oakville."
Shay A
My wife picked this to celebrate her first wine in 9months now that the baby is sleeping decent stretches at night. Decanted a quick 30mins, then consumed from the decanter over the course of the evening. Best slightly warmer than cellar temp, as room temp brings out too much of the ABV. Undoubtedly the most powerful wine in the 2017 lineup (but that’s usually the case in other years too). Deep, slightly hazy golden hue in the glass. Smells like classical Aubert with the lemon cream, sea salt and marzipan aromatics. The alcohol was noticeable the first hour on the finish, but it integrated over the following two hours. Opulent, as always, but classy. Perfect example of a big-time phenolic profile. Tropical. Grilled lemon, white peach, salted brown caramel dipped apple and plenty of baking spices, but the finish turns quite savory with honey roasted cashews. Decant this 2-4hrs if opening now, or wait 2-3yrs.
My wife picked this to celebrate her first wine in 9months now that the baby is sleeping decent stretches at night. Decanted a quick 30mins, then consumed from the decanter over the course of the evening. Best slightly warmer than cellar temp, as room temp brings out too much of the ABV. Undoubtedly the most powerful wine in the 2017 lineup (but that’s usually the case in other years too). Deep, slightly hazy golden hue in the glass. Smells like classical Aubert with the lemon cream, sea salt and marzipan aromatics. The alcohol was noticeable the first hour on the finish, but it integrated over the following two hours. Opulent, as always, but classy. Perfect example of a big-time phenolic profile. Tropical. Grilled lemon, white peach, salted brown caramel dipped apple and plenty of baking spices, but the finish turns quite savory with honey roasted cashews. Decant this 2-4hrs if opening now, or wait 2-3yrs.
9.6David L
17’ Aubert Lauren Chardonnay. Full -bodied rich & graceful. Apricot, pear, orange marmalade. Racy acidity that should calm down in the next year. Without a doubt one of the most dense layered & textured chards coming out of Cali. Consistently, year end & year out can’t miss Chardonnay. Drink or hold for another decade.
17’ Aubert Lauren Chardonnay. Full -bodied rich & graceful. Apricot, pear, orange marmalade. Racy acidity that should calm down in the next year. Without a doubt one of the most dense layered & textured chards coming out of Cali. Consistently, year end & year out can’t miss Chardonnay. Drink or hold for another decade.
9.6Shawn R
Had this last week and again this week with @David L and @Ron R what a absolute stunner!
Had this last week and again this week with @David L and @Ron R what a absolute stunner!
9.5Gilbert Van Hassel
Alcohol not fully integrated and very high in alcohol (15 degrees). Quite flat in taste. Heady.
Alcohol not fully integrated and very high in alcohol (15 degrees). Quite flat in taste. Heady.
8.8Jim McCusker
Aubert - Lauren Vineyard. ‘Nuff said.
Aubert - Lauren Vineyard. ‘Nuff said.
9.7John Landis
Lovely color and aromas of lemon meringue. In the mouth : excellent acidity with bright lemon curd flavors and awesome lingering aftertaste.
Lovely color and aromas of lemon meringue. In the mouth : excellent acidity with bright lemon curd flavors and awesome lingering aftertaste.
9.4Jim McCusker
First of all, the pic is courtesey of my wife Vanessa (and it’s an awesome pic if I do say so myself). Lauren is always my favorite of Mark’s chardonnays, and this one does not disappoint. Telltale notes of honeysuckle, lemon peel, apricot (or some other stone fruit), but surprisingly no trace of vanilla (which I was expecting given how Mark ages his whites). The wine has a beautiful mouthfeel, is balanced, and a flavor profile reminiscent of the nose. The complexity that characterizes the Lauren chards after a few more years in the cellar is not there yet, suggesting that this has many years of development ahead of it. Could turn out to be one of Mark’s best chards in recent memory, so if you have a few of these I’d open one now and put the rest aside and see how they develop.
First of all, the pic is courtesey of my wife Vanessa (and it’s an awesome pic if I do say so myself). Lauren is always my favorite of Mark’s chardonnays, and this one does not disappoint. Telltale notes of honeysuckle, lemon peel, apricot (or some other stone fruit), but surprisingly no trace of vanilla (which I was expecting given how Mark ages his whites). The wine has a beautiful mouthfeel, is balanced, and a flavor profile reminiscent of the nose. The complexity that characterizes the Lauren chards after a few more years in the cellar is not there yet, suggesting that this has many years of development ahead of it. Could turn out to be one of Mark’s best chards in recent memory, so if you have a few of these I’d open one now and put the rest aside and see how they develop.
9.5Alex Moura
Happy Mother’s Day. ❤️
Happy Mother’s Day. ❤️
9.8WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.