Eastside Vineyard is the only Chardonnay wine produced by Auber in the Russian River Valley AVA. The vineyard is located on a hill facing east, with rocky slopes and soil containing a lot of pebbles. By carefully selecting clones, yields are kept low, producing grapes that are powerfully concentrated yet delicate and delicate, with mineral and complex fruit notes. After barrel fermentation and barrel aging for 10 months (80% new barrels), the wine is left to settle in stainless steel tanks for 4 months and bottled unfiltered.
Vintage Information
In 2022, there was plenty of rain from the latter half of the previous winter, refreshing the roots and soil tired from the dry previous year, and the warm weather continued in the spring, predicting a healthy and balanced crop. The heat in August and early September further concentrated the flavor and acidity, and rich, ripe grapes with balanced nutrition were harvested. The 2022 Chardonnay shines with its refinement, concentration, youthful green edges, and dazzling pale yellow shine. The aromas are common to fresh and gorgeous flowers, honeysuckle, celery, and rose oil, and the juicy, sweet, smooth texture and amazing concentration make this a vintage that illuminates Auber's personality.
Technical information
The aim is to harvest the wine late at night while it is still cool, and have it barreled within 5-6 hours. It is immediately brought to the winery in a refrigerated truck, where it is sorted and pressed, then placed in French barrels (approximately 80% new barrels, 20% one-year-old barrels) for slow, healthy fermentation, and the first and second fermentations (100% natural yeast, 100% MLF) take place over a period of approximately 10 months. After allowing the lees to settle naturally, the wine is barrel-selected and transferred to stainless steel tanks, where it is left to settle for 4-5 months, before being bottled every December without artificial clarification or filtering. Fermentation and aging period is approximately 15 months (barrels and tanks).
Tasting notes by Marc Aubey
Exotic yet robust, the first taste reveals complex gravel and flint-like mineral tones characteristic of this rocky location. Hints of passion fruit jelly and feijoa (pineapple mango) combine with the classic minerality of the East Side to create a distinctive sweet-sour taste. A hint of white pepper spice and a roasted almond aroma are added. The slightly hazy appearance is proof that the unfiltered wine has not reduced the flavor. It expresses Auber's commitment to quality.
97-99P The Wine Independent by Lisa Perrotti-Brown Sep.2023
A rich and distinctive wine with a chalky and rocky minerality and nuances of ripe pear, yellow apple and pineapple. The concentrated and tense atmosphere is concentrated in the center of the wine, making it a rare full-bodied wine with a firm acidity and minerality.
Field Information
This is the only Chardonnay wine from Auber in the Russian River Valley AVA. The vineyard is on a vast hill overlooking the Russian River, and because of its east-facing slope, it receives ample sunlight and produces grapes that ripen perfectly. The soil is rocky and contains many pebbles, which gives the vines good stress from the poor soil, producing small, concentrated fruit. The pebbles are rounder than those in other vineyards, and are thought to have been created and raised by an ancient river. The rare Chardonnay clone selection (mainly Montrachet clone) matches this land with weak vines, resulting in a surprisingly powerful, concentrated, yet delicate and elegant wine.
Vintage: 2022
Capacity: 750ml
Type: White wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Russian River Valley
Nested AVA, Other: Russian River Valley
Vineyard: Eastside Vineyard
Note: 97-99P The Wine Independent by Lisa Perrotti-Brown Sep.2023
Winemaker: Mark Aubert
Brewing: Fermented in French barrels (approximately 80% new barrels), 100% natural yeast, 100% MLF
Aging: Unfiltered and unfined before bottling
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 15.1%