Powder House is Auber's fourth estate, located in the old town of Forestville, and is topographically shaped like a mortar or an amphitheater (an ancient Roman amphitheatre). This gradually curving field produces an elegant yet powerful Chardonnay. The name of the field comes from a nearby gunpowder storehouse. It features stimulating nuances of crushed lime, white pepper, and freshly baked toast. After 10 months of barrel fermentation and barrel aging (80% new barrels), it 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 we were able to harvest rich, ripe grapes with a balanced nutritional state.
The 2022 Chardonnay shines with its refinement, concentration, youthful green edges and dazzling pale yellow glow.
The aromas include fresh and gorgeous flowers, honeysuckle, celery, and rose oil, and the juicy, sweet, and smooth texture and amazing concentration make this a vintage that highlights Auber's individuality.
Technical information
The wine is harvested late at night while it is still cool, and the goal is to 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. The first and second fermentations (100% natural yeast, 100% MLF) take place over a period of approximately 10 months, and after allowing the lees to settle naturally, the wine is selected for barrel selection 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
It has a powerful and impressive minerality and tension, with a wonderful balance of rich citrus and fresh pear nuances. Because the vineyard was an ancient seabed, the shells and slate powder are transmitted to the wine as a minerality, and it has a rich acidity like tarte au citron, a flavor reminiscent of oil like white nectarine, and a rich aroma of orange and lilac flowers, and a thick, chewy, rich flavor. It can be enjoyed now, but can also be aged for 10 to 15 years. The slightly hazy appearance is proof that the flavor has not been reduced by the unfiltered process. It expresses Auber's commitment.
96-98P The Wine Independent by Lisa Perrotti-Brown Sep.2023
The sea spray-like nuances, rich citrus acidity, and creamy mouthfeel are balanced with a sense of tension, resulting in a rich, long-lasting aftertaste that spreads throughout the mouth.
Field Information
Powder House is Auber's fourth estate vineyard, located in the old town of Forestville, and is topographically shaped like a mortar or amphitheater (an ancient Roman amphitheatre). This gradually curving vineyard produces elegant yet powerful Chardonnay. The vineyard's name comes from a nearby gunpowder magazine. Gunpowder was stored in a remote location and was called Powder House. The 2017 vintage is the first vintage.
Vintage: 2022
Capacity: 750ml
Type: White wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: 100% Chardonnay
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Sonoma Coast
Vineyard: Powder House Estate Vineyard
Note: 96-98P 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%