The October 2019 Auction: Part 5
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1 / 2Lot 725
Estimate: $150
Nicked label.
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Collection name
Reviews
96-99WA
"CIX stands for "109" as this block, planted in 2008 to Montrachet clones, was originally called "parcel 109" when they purchased it. The 2017 Chardonnay CIX Estate has an incredibly intense nose of lemon peel, green mango, fresh pears and powdered ginger with suggestions of baking bread, chopped cashews, lightly buttered popcorn and crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and bold with a racy line carrying the citrus and savory layers to an incredibly long finish. During my tasting visit to the winery in August 2018, Mark Aubert informed me that they were all done picking before the fires in 2017. In fact, I had visited Aubert in 2017 at the end of August, which was the first day of their harvest. Harvest went on for about four more weeks. Marc informed me that the winery was closed up tight during the fires to prevent smoke infiltration. Power went off for about an hour but they have a back up generator, so there was little if any impact on the wines. Ultimately, wines don't lie, and the 2017 tank samples that I tasted with Marc back up up all the information he gave me. As usual, these 2017 Chardonnays took 4-6 months to complete fermentation. Therefore, Marc pointed out, the alcohol accumulates slowly and integrates very well over that time. It's worth noting that Marc doesnât rack super clean, offering a little sur lie savoriness to the wines. As always, he never filters anything. The Pinots saw about 10-15% whole cluster and were bottled in June 2018. All the 2017 Chardonnays will be bottled in mid-December 2018. There is an incredible clarity and depth of flavors revealed in the Chardonnays in particular already and, as readers will take away from my notes and scores, I couldn't be more excited about what 2017 has delivered in the Aubert vineyards."
Region
White
Country
Score
"CIX stands for "109" as this block, planted in 2008 to Montrachet clones, was originally called "parcel 109" when they purchased it. The 2017 Chardonnay CIX Estate has an incredibly intense nose of lemon peel, green mango, fresh pears and powdered ginger with suggestions of baking bread, chopped cashews, lightly buttered popcorn and crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and bold with a racy line carrying the citrus and savory layers to an incredibly long finish. During my tasting visit to the winery in August 2018, Mark Aubert informed me that they were all done picking before the fires in 2017. In fact, I had visited Aubert in 2017 at the end of August, which was the first day of their harvest. Harvest went on for about four more weeks. Marc informed me that the winery was closed up tight during the fires to prevent smoke infiltration. Power went off for about an hour but they have a back up generator, so there was little if any impact on the wines. Ultimately, wines don't lie, and the 2017 tank samples that I tasted with Marc back up up all the information he gave me. As usual, these 2017 Chardonnays took 4-6 months to complete fermentation. Therefore, Marc pointed out, the alcohol accumulates slowly and integrates very well over that time. It's worth noting that Marc doesnât rack super clean, offering a little sur lie savoriness to the wines. As always, he never filters anything. The Pinots saw about 10-15% whole cluster and were bottled in June 2018. All the 2017 Chardonnays will be bottled in mid-December 2018. There is an incredible clarity and depth of flavors revealed in the Chardonnays in particular already and, as readers will take away from my notes and scores, I couldn't be more excited about what 2017 has delivered in the Aubert vineyards."
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The fourth-largest wine producer in the world, led by California. American fine wine is defined by ripe, expressive fruit and a spirit of innovation, with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon among the most sought-after wines globally.
The world's most versatile white grape, producing everything from steely Chablis to rich, oaked whites. Its neutrality makes it a mirror of terroir and winemaking, and the foundation of white Burgundy and Champagne.