The 2023 vintage in sunny California was a golden year, with a wet winter and mild spring contributing to the creation of incredible wines. Mark Aubert's wines, particularly his Pinot Noir, have garnered a cult following for their rich, hedonistic style. The 2023 Pinot Noir CIX Vineyard is already being hailed as another stellar wine from Mark Aubert. This red Pinot Noir packs an admirable amount of bright fruit, showcasing notes of raspberry, cherry, and mulberry, complemented by sparkles of anise, sassafras, and rosemary. It is described as savory, with nuances of dried herbs, mint, blood orange, chalk, and crushed flowers. The wine exhibits serious viscosity and a heavy mouthfeel, with additional notes of crushed blackberries, fresh strawberries, red cherries, hints of dried Provence herbs, hoisin, and wet slate. It boasts a suave gloss of toast and a youthfully compact yet mouthwatering finish, and is built to cellar. 🍴 Food pairing suggestions: Recommended pairings include duck, goose, and game birds. One reviewer also enjoyed it with steak, noting its deliciousness both with and without food. 🥂 Event suggestions: This is a wine destined for greatness. It is built to cellar, with recommendations to hold off opening for several years to allow it to further improve and develop. This makes it an ideal choice for collectors, those planning a special occasion in the future, or for a luxurious experience now with proper decanting. Best enjoyed from 2026 through 2040. 【A stellar wine from a cult producer, destined for greatness with significant aging potential.】