UV-SL sits in one of the far western reaches of the Sonoma Coast, only six miles from the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard takes its name from the late Ulises Valdez Sr., Aubert’s longtime vineyard manager, and his home estate on Stoetz Lane. Mark Aubert and Valdez collaborated on planting the site nearly fifteen years ago, establishing both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in a place where warm, sunlit afternoons meet the persistent cooling influence of the nearby Pacific. Aubert describes UV-SL as the most powerful and structured Pinot Noir in its lineup, and the 2024 makes that character unmistakable. Black cherry and mulberry lead into hoisin, star anise, graphite, and blonde tobacco, while a distinctly forested, chaparral character ties the wine back to its coastal setting. On the palate, blackberry oil, cocoa, and black cherry unfold across a firm but finely drawn tannic structure, giving the wine considerable depth without sacrificing definition. The contrast between ripeness and coastal freshness is what makes UV-SL so compelling. The vineyard’s warm microclimate brings density and concentration, while bright acidity keeps the wine focused through a long, palate-staining finish. Aubert sees the 2024 as still tightly chiseled in its youth, with the structure and fruit to continue opening for years. It is one of the most commanding expressions of Pinot Noir in the Aubert portfolio, shaped by a site where warmth, ocean influence, and the history of Mark Aubert’s partnership with Ulises Valdez all come together.