So the latest Aubert purchase will likely be my last. I love them, but they’ve joined the ranks of other Chards that have outgrown my price point. So, for those who enjoy this style of Chard - who, qualitatively is making a similarly strong portfolio of Chard at half the price?
I’ve been impressed with Dehlinger’s chards - anyone else?
I’ve had scant few of the ones you describe. My recollection of Aubert was cloudy, soft and smoky. What would you describe “this style of Chard” as being, so that people can help find you comps?
Jody, likely much less oaky and rich than an Aubert, but you absolutely positively have to try Liquid Farm. It’s the best chard I’ve had, regardless of vintage or location, ever. And at $35 for the White Hill, the QPR is amazing.
Ceritas or Liquid Farm…take your pick. Scott you want Nikki to raise her or prices or what? 
Perhaps, from Liquid Farm, the $45-50ish “Golden Slope” chardonnay would have more similarity to Aubert and Marcassin? It’s still more old-worldish in style, but it’s got more oak and more weight/roundness than the Chablis-like White Hill.
Liquid Farm? Thanks Guys! Chris, what I find in common with the subject wines is that they are concentrated, powerful chards, with oak aging / malo fermentation evident in texture, but not necessarily in aroma or flavor. These are also big, layered wines, but have enough acid to prop them up. These wines can be both big and refreshing. You often find in CA that these characteristics are mutually exclusive - and when they are not, you’re paying ~$100.
A little different but how about Forman?
Yeah, I hear you. That said, I hope they blow it out of the water in sales.
DuMol & Rochioli make some pretty powerful Chardonnays.
I particularly like the DuMols, and I don’t really care for Chardonnay that much.
+1
Peay is my favorite!!!
I wouldn’t put Ceritas in the same category as Aubert, but I’ve never had then side by side. Aubert’s precision despite the size/power is hard to emulate. Ceritas seems much lighter to me, but retaining complexity. I think Dumol is similar, though not that much cheaper. On the lower end of the price spectrum maybe Mt Eden or Neyers are worth a try, maybe Rudius or Alpha Omega as well. My opinion may not mean much though as I’m routinely disappointed in high end chardonnay for the price(I really like Certias and Aubert though).
-Jody I have Ceritas/Rhys/Dumol if you want to try one sometime.
Ramey. Appellation wines at about $40 and single vineyards at about $60. My favorite of the former is the RRV and the latter the Platt Vineyard bottling, but you can’t go wrong with any of them, really.
They have a great mix of richness. texture. acidity and complexity.
Ooh. Forgot about Ramey. Good call.
Jody,
If you want something that has a bit of the more nervy white burg type characteristics but also exhibits some New World fruit give the Cameron Clos Electrique Blanc a go. Can age for 15 years and is without a doubt the best domestic chardonnay I’ve had year after year. Sometimes hard to find and sits around the $50 mark. Cheers!
Have minimal experience with 3 wines mentioned in the title, but would suggest Talley as a producer to try out in the sub $50 category with many of the characteristics described. The Rincon bottling is one I’ve had pretty consistent luck with.
If you want to gamble with spending $25 instead of $50, I recently had the 2010 Sparkman Lumiere Chardonnay from Washington, and thought it was really exceptional.
A seriously concentrated, big chard but nowhere close to being cloying, overly oaked or unbalanced. I haven’t had many WA chards, but I was a fan.
I know that someone distributes Sparkman in VA, because I’ve seen them on shelves. Maybe worth a flyer.
Just Chard? Or a Burgundy?
Yes Rochioli svd chards fit the op’s criteria and run for about $60
Jason, thanks. I’ll look into Forman.
Scott, LF looks interesting - I checked out their website and it looks interesting. I’m generally more interested in estate/vineyard designations as I have some romantic aversion to cuvées. I like their Philosophy though.
Eric, I loved the basic Rochioli bottling, but passed on their SVDs after waiting years to buy. By the time they offered me wine, it was priced about wher Aubert is.
Bud, I’ll check out Peay too.
Josh, we’ve got to nail down a theme and date and get together. I’d like to try the Ceritas and DuMol. I can contribute some 05 Bonne Marres and 07 Swan Terrace. Maybe rather than a Rhys vertical, we can do a Burg vs. CA thing?
Jim, Ramey has been on my radar and has good retail distribution down here. I’ll give them a try.
J Dubs! Great to see you posting! If you like the Cameron, I’m sure I will too - I’ll seek it out.
Jim, the Talley I had didn’t quite reach Aubert’s level, but I understand they make several wines. I’ll check out the Rincon.
Dave H, I’ll check out the sparkman too. I was just putting 50 bucks as a mark on the wall. As I mentioned in the OP, Dehlinger makes a great chard below the 50 mark.
Dave S., welcome to the board! I’m specifically interested in the domestic category wrt a cheaper alternative to the subject wines. I don’t know burg at all, but I do know one of the greatest chards I’ve ever had was a Latour Corton Charley. If you’ve got a must try wine, by all means, please do tell!
Sounds like I have some homework to do, thanks all for the recos!