TN: 2005 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

WINE TALK
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2005 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (11/23/2009)
WIML92-93

Tasted November 23, 2009.

Opened and served immediately. Followed over about 3 hours. Yellow color in the glass, fairly clear hue throughout. Nose of paraffin, lemon zest, yellow pears and light notes of hazelnut. Flavors of creme, vanilla, lemon curd and dried pineapple. Medium acidity, medium to full bodied. Drink or hold. (92 pts.)

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2005 Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard - OK, so the Francophile snobby part of me says that I should not enjoy this California chardonnay.Nice greenish gold color. Loads of butterscotch (mon dieu!) on the nose along with sweet pears. Very sweet thick and viscous on the attack, but with a beautiful bite of crisp green apple and limestone acidity on the finish. Just absolutely delicious, both on its own and with seared scallops. A pure delight and a reminder that Cali style chardonnay, as much as it gets a bad rap, can be spectacular in the right hands and with some bottle age.

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grouphug

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I have never scored a wine, but if were to do it, 92 would be on the very low end of any Chardonnay I have had from Aubert. With that said, I think it was the 2005 that was perhaps my least favorite. The 2008 Ritchie - even for such a baby - has been a true delight right out of the gate.

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Joe’s scorings are tougher than Tanzer’s!!! [wow.gif] [snort.gif] neener

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2002 slayed us this summer.