AUBERT UV SL Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

VM: 96

The 2019 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard is another wine that is starting to enter the very early part of its first plateau of maturity. Lemon confit, tangerine oil, spice, mint and a kiss of French oak are all amplified. Layered and wonderfully complex, the UV-SL is superb. It's also a fine choice for drinking now.

WS: 96

Elegant and well-structured, this is filled with fresh acidity backing the lithe white fruit and spice flavors. There's creamy richness midpalate, with a long, caressing finish that shows accents of ginger and dried tropical fruits. Drink now through 2027. 1,557 cases made.

VM:90

The 2020 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard shows good energy and tension. The UV-SL remains a relatively light-bodied wine, but some of the hard edges I saw last year have started to soften. Orchard fruit and white pepper lend attractive brightness throughout.

WS: 95

Starts with a sleek laser beam of ripe and pure apricot, grilled peach and Fuji apple, expanding into salted, toasted almond notes and flavors of lemon sherbet, dried ginger and nutmeg. Shows harmony on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,444 cases made.

WM: 95

The 2022 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard is a potent, driving wine. Readers should be in no rush, as the 2022 is quite reticent and in need of cellaring. Strong mineral and phenolic notes dominate, while everything else is in the background. Lemon confit, pear, ginger and white flowers open with some coaxing, but this needs time. The only question is how much.

WS: 96

A complex version, offering a rich and aromatic mix of salted caramel, nutmeg and cardamom, along with pear pastry and white peach notes, plus touches of candied fennel seed, lemongrass and candied ginger. The flavors are plump and fleshy, while mouthwatering acidity keeps everything light on its feet. Drink now through 2032. 2,482 cases made.

WS: 96

Vibrant and expressive, with wonderful intensity to the orange blossom, lemon balm, lemon thyme and lime zest elements that complement the core of citrus and CrimsonCrisp apple. Notes of gray sea salt and chalky minerality give this a wonderful texture and structure on top of amplifying the flavors. A tarragon detail lingers. Drink now through 2042. 2,378 cases made.  –MW

VN: 95-97

The 2024 Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard soars from the glass with captivating aromatics. Freshly cut flowers, slate, mint, chalk and dried herbs lend notable aromatic brightness. This tense, salivating Chardonnay is shaping up to be a jewel of wine. A bit of time in the glass brings out the wine's textural richness and overall presence. There's tremendous depth and intensity here.