2011 Ritchie Vineyard Pinot Noir

Juicy dark cherries, cloves, new leather, licorice and asphalt are all woven together beautifully in Mark Aubert’s 2011 Pinot Noir Ritchie Vineyard. Despite its considerable size and volume, the 2011 possesses stunning detail, nuance and freshness. Rose petals, violets and plums all grace a finish that stands out for its total elegance and class. I hope readers can appreciate how rare it is to find a wine with both this level of depth and nuance. Aromatically, the Ritchie Pinot has much in common with the Chardonnays from the same site, although I realize that may sound a bit esoteric. Maybe, but it’s true. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2023. Mark Aubert has a brand new tasting room that is intimate and clubby. By the time I got to Aubert, I had tasted most of the Sonoma reference points. With that as a backdrop, these wines stood out for their sheer pedigrees. This is a world-class operation in every way. Because of the late, cool year, Aubert’s 2011 Chardonnays are a bit brighter and more focused than is the norm. In other words, the wines are deeply marked by the signatures of the year. Interestingly, that is not the case with the Pinots, which are pretty much in line with the juicy, generous style Aubert fans have become accustomed to. In contrast to the Chardonnay harvest, in 2011, there were no declassified Pinot lots. One of the developments at Aubert over the last few years is an increased focus on estate vineyards. As part of that trend, readers will see several additions to the range, while Aubert has decided to discontinue his Reuling Chardonnay. Tel. (707) 963-4569