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A graduate of California State Fresno, Mark Aubert began his career at Rutherford Hill as an enologist before moving on to Monticello Cellars. In 1990 he became assistant winemaker to Helen Turley at Peter Michael Winery, taking over as winemaker upon her departure. After 10 years with Peter Michael,? Mark departed to start his own consulting business and again replaced Helen Turley, this time at Colgin Cellars. Acknowledged as one of California's top winemakers, Mark released the first Chardonnay under his own label with the 2000 vintage.?Presently focusing on his own label with traditions deeply entrenched in Californian and Burgundian techniques, Mark has planted a 7 acre chardonnay vineyard on the Vine Hill appellation near Forestville-Sonoma, as well as another 6 acres of chardonnay and 1.5 acres of pinot noir at a vineyard down the street. In addition to Aubert Wines, Mark Aubert still retains a consulting position at Colgin. "The Chardonnays that Mark Aubert makes at Colgin Cellars for his own label are nothing short of sensational, and my early look at a 2003 pinot noir suggests that Aubert has the magic touch with this tricky grape as well. Aubert describes his 2002s as "hedonistic wines, high in alcohol and with great concentration. Everything went perfectly during the growing season."Indeed, Aubert goes on, the green tinge to the colors of the 2002 chardonnays is from physiologically perfect skins-"skins that haven't been burned by sunlight, but also from great old clones. "The wines did not finish fermenting their sugars until March, and batonnage gave them even more fat. Aubert recommends the Quarry bottling for the shorter term, noting that the Ritchie Vineyard chardonnay possesses stronger acidity for cellaring." Steve Tanzer
available for restaurants only. please inquire.
Chardonnay Ritchie's Vineyard
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