Best $50 Chard alternative to Aubert/Marcassin/Morlet?

WINE TALK
21

What about Varner? I think they make some top notch domestic chardonnay.

22

Good call!

23

The 2010 Bouchard Meursault “Les Clous” is very nice and right around $50.

24

This is a good thread for myself as my wife loves Chards. Our favorites are Alpha Omega, Kisler and Ramey… Our house chard is Dierberg. For $20… Can’t find a better wine, and god knows we have tried a ton. I am excited about trying Liquid Farm…among others.

25

Only Chards I buy ( but I don’t buy many):
RM Theriot
Eric Kent RRV
Eric Kent Sangiacomo
Sojourn Sangiacomo
Rhys Horshoe
Williams Selyem unoaked

26

Martinelli Charles Ranch.

27

Scherrer “Helfer Vineyard”

28

There are several white Burgundies you would probably be interested in that fall in the $50 range that I like. Let me know if your interested because allot of people prefer CA Chard.

RT

29

Hartford Court Four Hearts is great chard for the price ($45). I’m not gonna say it’s Aubert level but it definitely outperforms it’s price. Galloni rated the 2011 94.

30

I’m yet another big on Liquid Farm…but I’d also recommend mixing in some Heitz to save some $$.

31

Varner/Neely and Mount Eden Estate

32

If $50 is the basic number I’d add Lynmar. They have several Chardonnay bottles right around there that can get dense and taste pricey though they really won’t emote like Aubert or Marcassin.

33

Given the wines you mentioned are unapologetically Californian in style, you may want to consider Williams Selyem Single Vineyard Chardonnays. They’re in the $50-60 price range on release, and typically transact for less on the secondary market. They might become a new go to for you.

34

No mention of Montelena ($40)? You all must be under 50 [cheers.gif] .

I like Rudd, but it is too pricey now. Peay, Monty, and Stephen Ross (Bien Nacido) is what is in the cellar now. I have tried some from Oregon that were very good also (Bethel Heights).

35

I picked up 4-5 bottles of Aubert chard several years ago. It was before I started using CT so I dont remember the exact bottlings or vintages.

I can say I would NOT put their wine anywhere close to LF, Ceritas, Rhys, or Copain.

I remember much fuller, oaky wines from Aubert, than any of those listed above.

I will say that andersons conn valley chard is very similar in style to aurbert…and half the price

36

I would also say the Dumol’s, although they are a little north of $50. As is Alpha Omega, Rudd and Shibumi Knoll.

Good ol Beringer Private Reserve is pretty consistent.

Hamilton Russell from South Africa is amazing for the money.

37

I was just in Oregon last November and some of my favorite wines I tried were Chards. I loved the Anderson Family 2007 and 2010, St. Innocent La Liberte 2012, and Walter Scott.

38

no one. I wish that weren’t the case, but it is. I stopped buying Aubert last year. It’s not generally the style of Chardonnay I reach for, but for what it is, I think it’s the best, and I don’t think anything is as good at that style for significantly less money.

I always find it funny in these threads when a specific style is asked for and so many people throw out suggestions for completely different styles because that’s what they like.

39

Doug, I agree, but it’s like saying I like 1st growths, what similar for half the price? Well nothing of course but there are a ton of wines that are enjoyable and I think people are chiming in with less expensive alternatives. Of course they are going to be different because the 3 mentioned by the OP are pretty singular in style.

40

Brickhouse out of OR. Argyle Nuthouse.