Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2004
Price:$63.00 in mixed case $56.70 SKU262249750ml | Add to Cart |
Ramey
Situated directly in the center of the Russian River appellation, our block of Ken Ritchie’s vineyard was planted in 1972 to the Old Wente selection. Widely spaced - the fashion at the time – these old vines, with their thick gnarly trucks, produce only a tiny quantity of grapes per vine. The bench land soil is pure Goldridge loam, common to great vineyards in the in this part of the Russian River Valley. Like the wine from Hyde and the Hudson Vineyard, this wine is able to absorb more oak without being overwhelmed, and sees about seventy percent new Burgundian barrels. It spends about twenty-one months in barrel, completely sur lies, before being bottled without filtration.
Wine Enthusiast
There’s a bracing, salty tang of the sea in this fog-cooled Chard. It has an almost Islay Scotch quality, although the pineapple, lemon sorbet and new vanilla oak flavors are distinctly varietal. Hard to exaggerate the creamy richness, the way the wine glides across the palate with racy richness.
Score: 94.
—Steve Heimoff,
July
01,
2007.
Wine Advocate
The 2004 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard exhibits wonderfully sweet brioche, bee’s wax, honeyed pineapple, and some hazelnut notes. It has crisp acidity, a rich, long, full-bodied finish, and a style that seems to beautifully transpose a European allegiance to elegance with a California predilection for ripeness. That is what is so admirable about not only the Chardonnays from Ramey but the red wines as well.
Score: 93.
—Robert Parker,
December
2006.
Wine Spectator
Rich, exotic aromas of fig, pineapple and butterscotch are delicate and refreshing. Turns complex and holds a tight focus on the finish, where this remains elegant and stylish. Drink now through 2010.
Score: 92.
—James Laube,
July
31,
2007.
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.
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