Life of a Wine

 Auteur Wine in the Press


"OUTSTANDING WINES FROM THIS SMALL PRODUCER" - Robert Parker Dec, 2013 
AUTEUR Chardonnay / Hyde Vineyard / 2011
94 points
The stunning 2011 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, which exhibits notes of citrus oil, orange marmalade and crushed rocks. A terrific example of a Chardonnay that represents a perfect sythesis in style of a grand cru white Burgundy and California's more tropical and exotic, fruit- laden Chardonnays. 
—Robert Parker (December, 2013)

AUTEUR Chardonnay / Durell Vineyard / 2011
91 points
The 2011 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard reveals even more minerality as well as a more restrained overall personality with hints of white currants, unbuttered popcorn, wet stones and citrus oil. Medium-bodied, elegant, precise and fresh, it too, should be consumed over the next 4-5 years.
—Antonio Galloni (December, 2013)

AUTEUR Chardonnay / Durell Vineyard / 2010
93 points
The 2010 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard is a gorgeous, beautifully balanced wine layered with pineapple, mango, ripe yellow apricots, flowers and honey. It shows the weight and textural richness of these old Wente clones, but with more than enough minerality to give the wine its sense of backbone and drive. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
—Antonio Galloni (February, 2012)

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Manchester Ridge Vineyard / 2011
90 points
Darker, more earthy and spicy is the 2011 Pinot noir Manchester Ridge. A deeper colored, more muscular style of Pinot Noir, it reveals blacker fruits in addition to spice box characteristics. Drink it over the next 4-5 years .
—Robert Parker (December, 2013)

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Manchester Ridge Vineyard / 2009
93 points
The 2009 Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge Vineyard is a serious wine. It boasts considerable structure and power. The fruit is deep, dark and totally beguiling, even if it is quite clear the wine is showing just the barest hint of its ultimate potential. This is an especially firm 2009 Pinot that needs another few months in bottle at the very least. Black cherries, menthol, tar and licorice inform the rich, intense finish. Auteur used 20% whole clusters in the Manchester Ridge, which is all Dijon clones, and aged the wine 16 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.
—Antonio Galloni (February, 2012)

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Sonoma Stage Vineyard / 2009
92 points
The 2009 Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard shows quite a bit of energy and finesse in its well-articulated fruit and expressive bouquet. Clean veins of minerality support the radiant dark red fruit all the way through to the vibrant finish. Sweet black cherries, flowers and mint linger on the finish. There is a level of precision and drive to the 2009 that makes it highly appealing. The Sonoma Stage is 50% Calera and 50% Swan clones. The wine was vinified with 10% whole clusters and aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.
—Antonio Galloni (February, 2012)

AUTEUR Chardonnay / Durell Vineyard / 2008
94 points
More orange zest, lemon rind, honeysuckle and tropical fruit notes are found in the 2008 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard (made from an old Wente clone). There is a subtle smoky component (from the 25% new French oak that is used) in this full-bodied, rich wine that displays great acids as well as a striking minerality. It should be consumed over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2011-2015.

AUTEUR Chardonnay / Hyde Vineyard / 2008
92 points
The 2008 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard possesses crisp, steely, Chablis-like characteristics of white citrus, steely acids, medium to full-bodied flavors and lots of purity. It is impossible to find any hint of oak in this wine even though 25% new French oak was utilized. Drink this northern Burgundy-styled Chardonnay over the next 3-4 years. Drink 2011-2015.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Sonoma Stage Vineyard / 2008
92 points
The 2008 Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard, a blend of the well known Calera and Swan clones, comes from a cool, windy terroir. It exhibits loads of plum, black currant, sweet cherry and raspberry characteristics intermixed with hints of Asian spice, forest floor and soil. The complex aromatics are followed by a full-bodied Pinot with outstanding depth, purity and richness. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. Drink 2011-2016.


Wine Spectator July 31, 2014 Issue
Article "California Chardonnay's Big Easy"
Kenneth Juhasz, of Auteur Winess in Sonoma attributes the year's moderate temperatures and leisurely harvest with creating wines loaded with minerality while maintaining restrain and verve. "Based on weather, natural acidity and tannin I think that 2012 has produced Chardonnays that have the ability to age," he says.
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"NUMBERS GAME, by James Laube". Discusses Kenneth's winemaking style with regard to alcohol, ripeness and terroir. Oct 15, 2013 


Kenneth Juhasz, owner-winemaker of Auteur in Sonoma, has been making wine for a decade. He began his career with Pinot Noir in Oregon, using Burgundy as a model, yet he's found a happy home in Sonoma, where he has raised the quality bar by making his Pinot Noirs in a riper, fuller, more flavorful style. In particular, Auteur's Mendocino Ridge Manchester Ridge Vineyard 2009 (94, $50), Sonoma Coast 2009 (93, $38) and Sonoma Coast Stage Vineyard (93, $60) are the best California wines he's made. His work with the 2009 vintage at Donum (six outstanding Pinots) added to his remarkable year.

"WINEMAKERS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA"
December 20, 2012

Read Article at Wine Spectator
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AUTEUR Chardonnay Sonoma Coast Durell Vineyard 2010 / 92 points / $42 / 122 cases made / White
Pure, clean and vibrant, with ripe, juicy, subtle peach, pear, melon and spice notes that gain depth and dimension, fanning out on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
—J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2011
92 points / $42 / 330 cases made / Red
Pure, vivid raspberry and black cherry notes form the core of this tight, focused effort. The flavors build and gain on the finish, which ends with touches of sandalwood and cedar. Drink now through 2020.
—J.L.

AUTEUR Chardonnay Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2010
91 points / $42 / 112 cases made / White
Tightly wound, with pure, focused flavors of citrus, peach, guava and green pear that show a dash of minerality on the finish. Drink now through 2019.
—J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Sonoma Coast / 2009
93 points, $38, 202 cases made
Red Complex and concentrated, with a vivid mix of blueberry, black- berry, tar, cedar and berry jam. Full-bodied, spicy and floral, folding together nicely on the finish. Drink now through 2018.
—J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Sonoma Coast /
Sonoma Stage Vineyard / 2009
93 points, $60, 145 cases made
Fragrant aromas of blackberry, jasmine tea and berry jam are fullbodied, tightly wound and intense on the palate, with a long, full, focused and persistent finish, where the flavors gain depth. Drink now through 2020.
—J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Mendocino Ridge / Manchester Ridge Vineyard / 2009
94 points, $50, 123 cases made
Red Ripe, pure and complex, offering generous plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit that’s medium- to fullbodied, with floral scents that build and gain velocity and dimension on the palate, coming into an even tighter focus on the finish. Drink now through 2018.
—J.L.

AUTEUR Chardonnay / Sonoma Coast / Durell Vineyard / 2008
93 points
Tight and firm, with vivid, well-structured peach, citrus blossom, tropical fruit and honeysuckle flavors that are pure, focused and concentrated. Should gain from cellaring. Drink now through 2017. 227 cases made.
—J.L.

AUTEUR Pinot Noir / Willamette Valley / Shea Vineyard / 2008
92 points
Editor's Note: A bit chewy, but beautifully focused to show off its ripe cherry, black pepper, tobacco and floral aromas and flavors on an open texture, deftly knit with fine tannins. Lingers effortlessly on the finish. Best from 2012 through 2018. 225 cases made.
–HS