2014 Aubert "Eastside Vineyard" Russian River Valley Chardonnay

“Absolutely profound is the 2014 Chardonnay Eastside, from the vineyard owned by well-known viticulturalist and farmer Ulises Valdez and planted with a suitcase Montrachet clone on a low-yielding root stock called Riparia Gloire. Smoky crème brûlée notes intermixed with white peach, nectarine, orange marmalade, honeysuckle and buttered apples all jump from the glass of this great Chardonnay that is Grand cru quality, incredibly pure, dense, and long. (RP)” (10/2016)

“The 2014 Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard is a potent wine. Rich and ample, with notable depth, the 2014 marries vibrancy with richness. There's a still a touch of reduction this wine showed in the early going that has probably helped it age. Lemon confit, chamomile, marzipan and tropical overtones all jump from the glass. The 2014 has not lost its structure, as it's still very grippy today. Mark Aubert’s 2014s are gorgeous wines that have aged beautifully, which is pretty much the norm here. Even so, the main takeaway from revisiting the 2014s, beyond how they have developed, is how much quality has exploded here over the recent decade. (AG)” (01/2016)