Aubert Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Park Avenue Estate 2021

97-99 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2021 Chardonnay Park Avenue was tasted as a tank sample, due to be bottled in December 2022. It skips out of the glass with bright, cheery notes of ginger ale, sassafras, lemon curd, coriander seed, and crystallized orange peel with a hint of white pepper. The full-bodied palate is satiny smooth with layers of citrus and stone fruits, supported by a lively backbone, finishing long and minerally. Aubert bought this vineyard in 2013. It’s located right in between the Lauren and CIX vineyards. A neighbor who owned these 12 acres next to Lauren, previously planted with apples, passed away. There is a long road leading up to the vineyard, hence the name Park Avenue. This is mainly Hyde Clone with a little bit of Montrachet on 101-14 and 420A rootstocks. Drink: 2023-2036. (Sep 2022)."

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of citrus, apple skin, grape skin, vanilla, and brioche. Full-bodied with an oiliness and acidity that runs so long. Sort of rock and roll here. Tight on the finish. Flinty. Needs time to open. Released in the fall, 2023. Better after 2023 to 2024. (10/31/22)"

95-97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Chardonnay Park Avenue all Hyde clone, is more Hyde than the Hyde, so to speak! It possesses tremendous textural richness and breadth, with plenty of the orange peel, spice and tropical notes that are signatures of this clone. Readers who like opulent Chardonnays will adore the Park Avenue. It's an exquisite wine in every way. Drink: 2025-2036. (Aug 2023)"

94-96 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The newest addition to the Aubert lineup, Park Avenue (a former apple orchard) was planted in 2016 to Hyde Old Wente and Montrachet selections. Like all of the Chardonnays, there's a hefty dose of new French oak used in the 2021 Chardonnay Park Avenue, and there does seem to a bit more cedar on the nose here than in the other bottlings. Still, there are attractive, intense notes of lime blossom, white peach, and citrus zest. Full-bodied, rich and round, it's bright, zesty and long on the finish. It should be reasonably available, with 1,900 cases produced. Drink: 2023-2035. (Dec 2022)"