2022 Sugar Shack Estate Vineyard Chardonnay
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Tasting notes
Very complex, with heather and sliced apple notes and hints of spearmint, salt water taffy, stones and white cedar. Full-bodied with a fluid and beautiful palate. Delicious. Broad and open. Pure fruit to it. So hard not to drink now.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
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.
About the producer
The Aubert wines, particularly the Chardonnay, have a cult following – beloved for their rich, hedonistic style. Created by Mark and Theresa Aubert in 1999, the property makes some of California’s most sought-after Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all from single vineyards across Sonoma.