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Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2013
Limited new release from cult Chardonnay producer Mark Aubert.98 Points Robert Parker: ""From Aubert’s oldest vines, the 2013 Chardonnay Ritchie is made from the 40-year-old Chardonnay clone called Old Wente. Candied citrus, wet rocks, Granny Smith apples, white peach and honeysuckle notes are found in this full-bodied, prodigious Chardonnay with crisp acidity buttressing the viscous, full-throttle style. All of these 2013s have at least a decade of aging potential."...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.. Mark Aubert previously worked at Peter Michael, where he apprenticed under his most famous mentor, Helen Turley, followed by stints at Colgin and Futo, two very high-end cult Cabernet Sauvignon producers. His Chardonnays have become enormously popular and sell out as quickly as they become available to consumers. The 2013 Chardonnays are going to be as extraordinary in quality. Aubert uses high percentages of new French oak in the upbringing for his Chardonnays, but you would never know that when tasting. These wines- are all simply remarkable."
Ratings on Delectable
David L 
WOW... blown away. Can’t believe this is the Ritchie I’ve had past vintages of? The balance on this wine is close to flawless. Drinking perfectly right now. Great bottle of Chardonnay. Many wonderful years in front of it.
WOW... blown away. Can’t believe this is the Ritchie I’ve had past vintages of? The balance on this wine is close to flawless. Drinking perfectly right now. Great bottle of Chardonnay. Many wonderful years in front of it.
9.6
Shay A
Forgot to post these from the other day. Mark, Dan and I were able to enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the wine storage facility, and some unique stuff was opened, as always! Fortunate to have had the ‘13 and ‘14 Ritchie so recently. I’ve said it before, but I always get a nutty and waxy note for Ritchie vineyard chards. I got a lot of that on the ‘14, but it felt more subdued on the ‘13. Still had its typical lovely honeyed almond trait on the palate. Great Chardonnays. Thanks Dan.
Forgot to post these from the other day. Mark, Dan and I were able to enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the wine storage facility, and some unique stuff was opened, as always! Fortunate to have had the ‘13 and ‘14 Ritchie so recently. I’ve said it before, but I always get a nutty and waxy note for Ritchie vineyard chards. I got a lot of that on the ‘14, but it felt more subdued on the ‘13. Still had its typical lovely honeyed almond trait on the palate. Great Chardonnays. Thanks Dan.
9.2Shay A
Funny how a nice evening can round in to form on a spontaneous whim! You know if Dan is around that Aubert or Marcassin chardonnay is involved. Tonight, he was the reason for both! Normally, I love Ritchie. Possibly my favorite chard vineyard. The beeswax, waxiness/nuttiness that I get with this vineyard is so unique. A nice Chard but like most Aubert whites, give this at least 3-5 years.
Funny how a nice evening can round in to form on a spontaneous whim! You know if Dan is around that Aubert or Marcassin chardonnay is involved. Tonight, he was the reason for both! Normally, I love Ritchie. Possibly my favorite chard vineyard. The beeswax, waxiness/nuttiness that I get with this vineyard is so unique. A nice Chard but like most Aubert whites, give this at least 3-5 years.
9.2David L
13’ Aubert Ritchie Chardonnay. Perfect drinking window. Soooo much better than 18 months ago.
13’ Aubert Ritchie Chardonnay. Perfect drinking window. Soooo much better than 18 months ago.
9.5Shay A
Another great Classic Wine Happy Hour in the books! Always a treat to have a designated day each month where guys can pull out some unique bottles! I really enjoy Ritchie vineyard chards. Big and bold flavors...I find waxiness, honey and lush lemon flavors to be common. This is a very nice chard, but I'd wait another 2-3 years on it.
Another great Classic Wine Happy Hour in the books! Always a treat to have a designated day each month where guys can pull out some unique bottles! I really enjoy Ritchie vineyard chards. Big and bold flavors...I find waxiness, honey and lush lemon flavors to be common. This is a very nice chard, but I'd wait another 2-3 years on it.
9.2
Geoffrey Luce
2013 is my favorite Aubert vintage
2013 is my favorite Aubert vintage
9.5
Connor McMahon
Just starting to open. Pulled the cork 2 hours before drinking. Out of the Auberts I find this one balanced and finesse. Not the big structure.
Just starting to open. Pulled the cork 2 hours before drinking. Out of the Auberts I find this one balanced and finesse. Not the big structure.
9.2David L
13' Aubert Ritchie. Told myself I'd wait a year open my next bottle. It was close enough! I do believe that a few of Marks Chardonnays(regardless of the vintage) just taste better with a little age on them. I generally like my California Chardonnays rather young. Patients, has certainly paid off a little. We decanted it for an hour. A big BOY chard for sure. The most notable difference in this wine is the color, and the softened acidity. The color is a little more golden now. Acidity is still rather present. It certainly flowed a bit better through the palate. The nose was a bit muted last year. Much more pronounced this year. Nose- White flowers, honeysuckle, lemon zest. The palate is full of Canned peaches, green apples, lemons, wet stones. I still get that pie crust to it
13' Aubert Ritchie. Told myself I'd wait a year open my next bottle. It was close enough! I do believe that a few of Marks Chardonnays(regardless of the vintage) just taste better with a little age on them. I generally like my California Chardonnays rather young. Patients, has certainly paid off a little. We decanted it for an hour. A big BOY chard for sure. The most notable difference in this wine is the color, and the softened acidity. The color is a little more golden now. Acidity is still rather present. It certainly flowed a bit better through the palate. The nose was a bit muted last year. Much more pronounced this year. Nose- White flowers, honeysuckle, lemon zest. The palate is full of Canned peaches, green apples, lemons, wet stones. I still get that pie crust to it
9.3David L
13' Aubert Ritchie Chardonnay. Decanted for an hour+. The nose is rich with lemon, nectarines, slate. The palate is melon,pie crust,lemon bars,minerals. The acidity after a couple of hours, flows perfectly through the glass. This lingers on the back of your palate for sometime. Balance of this wine is pretty spectacular ! I do believe the 13' Ritchie will taste better in a year. One of the better Aubert chards to pair with food. Certainly believe this will stand the test of time. Mark Aubert + Chardonnays
13' Aubert Ritchie Chardonnay. Decanted for an hour+. The nose is rich with lemon, nectarines, slate. The palate is melon,pie crust,lemon bars,minerals. The acidity after a couple of hours, flows perfectly through the glass. This lingers on the back of your palate for sometime. Balance of this wine is pretty spectacular ! I do believe the 13' Ritchie will taste better in a year. One of the better Aubert chards to pair with food. Certainly believe this will stand the test of time. Mark Aubert + Chardonnays
9.2David L
Mark truly made a Burgundian wine here. Wait 12/18 months. I certainly hope he continues to buy these grapes for years to come. Cheers Mark!
Mark truly made a Burgundian wine here. Wait 12/18 months. I certainly hope he continues to buy these grapes for years to come. Cheers Mark!
9.1
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