2022 Aubert Chardonnay Sugar Shack Estate

A small vineyard on the site of the Aubert's residence on the western side of Rutherford, Sugar Shack is the warmest site in the portfolio. Farmed by David Abreu's team with careful attention paid to shade cloth and irrigation, the 2022 Chardonnay Sugar Shack shows remarkable freshness given the site and vintage conditions. Crushed stone, lime and tangerine notes mark the nose, while the wine is medium to full-bodied in the mouth, lush and almost pillowy in texture, then bright and vibrant on the lingering finish.

The 2022 Chardonnay Sugar Shack is a powerful wine marked by more of a phenolic textural feel. Dried lemon peel, chamomile, spice and crushed rocks abound. This is an especially savory Chardonnay endowed with real palate presence and tons of class.

The 2022 Sugar Shack was tasted as a barrel sample. Wow — the nose pops with citrus notes of lime cordial, lemon curd, and kumquat giving way to hints of shaved almonds, jasmine tea, and beeswax with a touch of sea spray. The full-bodied palate delivers beautiful tension and a satiny texture, with tightly wound citrus and mineral layers, finishing long and chalky. This is the Montrachet clone – what Mark calls “the citrus circus” clone. There are about 5 acres in total and the vines are protected by shade cloth - it is a very pampered vineyard.