One of the outstanding producers of Chardonnay in the world, David Ramey is obsessed about vineyard specific bottlings that reflect the diversity of terroir in Sonoma County. I first had the opportunity to try these wines following their 2004 release and I remember that while I was young in my wine education, I knew that I was tasting something truly special.
It is really exciting that David now has a second generation at Ramey Wine Cellars. His son, Alan, and daughter, Claire, have been working at Ramey for many years now. David is remarkably humble despite his success. He is always looking for the next great Italian wine to try and he is quite specific about what style of Chardonnay he enjoys and that he does not. This attention to detail is what separates his wines from others who try to emulate him. Sadly, I didn’t have a chance to taste with him this year due to Covid-19, but hopefully we will visit in the new year once the vaccine is out. The new wines are mainly from the 2017 vintage with a few from 2015 and 2018.
This time I wouldn't be tasting with David due to the pandemic but the wines I tried were every bit as good as the last time I tasted the new Ramey lineup. I was once again blown away with their 2018 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is big and intense, a truly sensational entry level Chardonnay that has some good aging potential. I adored the 2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Westside Farms’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is fresh and vibrant, with salty terroir. Ramey has gained a great reputation for his Syrah bottlings and I was absolutely floored by his 2015 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Rodgers Creek’ Syrah (OB, 95) which is dense and decadent with incredible range and a silky texture. These are all wines not to be missed and learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.rameywine.com Here are my reviews of the incredible new wines by superstar winemaker David Ramey.
2018 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2018 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay is a gorgeous new bottling by Chardonnay master David Ramey. Once on the nose this takes on roasted pineapples with Macadamia nut tones that mingle with orange blossom and cinnamon and nutmeg infused baked apple aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured with layers of lemon zest and toasty brioche tones that mingle with roasted hazelnuts, salted popcorn and nectarine flavors. Complex and absolutely delightful to savor in its youth, this has another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ is located in the Russian River AVA, the ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard parallels the River Road, as the Chardonnay aged for fourteen months in roughly 25% new French oak prior to bottling. David Ramey planted Hyde-Wente budwood at this three acre vineyard. Right away you are drawn to the ripe pear and baked apple tones which mingle with suggestions of lemon zest and damp earth accents that all meld in the glass.The palate is full-bodied with a voluptuous mouthfeel. Layers of baking spices combine with lemon creme brulee, ripe mango and shades of Gravenstein apple and kumquat zest that all sing together. The exceedingly long and gratifying finish lingers long on the tongue. Fantastic in its youth, the 2017 ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 94
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Westside Farms Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Simply spellbinding even in its youth, the 2017 ‘Westside Farms Vineyard’ Chardonnay is a glorious new wine by legendary producer David Ramey. Bright and intense aromatically, this takes on layers of salted pear that are woven together with peat moss and wild mushroom tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is marvelously textured, with a silky mouthfeel. Layers of bananas foster and damp earth combine with minerals, and poached pear with lemon zest all sing on the palate. The freshness of the wine continues to impress with gobs of mouth-watering acidity and tension The length of the wine adds to the enjoyment, as ttys stunning wine is only an infant right now and will provide drinking enjoyment for years to come. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Chardonnay- David Ramey sourced from the ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ for nearly fifteen years and this is now the third year that he has crafted a single vineyard bottling from this esteemed vineyard, located roughly a mile south of Ramey’s Westside Farms Vineyard. The ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ is planted to largely Dijon clones. Aromatically quite intense, the wine leads with layers of mango and pineapple alongside baking spices and damp earthy tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is brilliantly textured and has massive acidity which really entiices. Ripe banana and pineapple tones combine with peat moss, Granny Smith apple and kumquat zest on the palate. The combination of weight, length and acidity is sensational as this is a Chardonnay to sit and savor all of the complex, working components. While a delight to savor right now, the 2017 Ramey ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Chardonnay will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Consistently one of the great Chardonnays produced in California, the 2017 ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay is another thrilling new bottling by the talented David Ramey. Sourced from this esteemed site in the Carneros AVA, the wine evokes a brilliant range of aromatics from bright pear and buttered popcorn to shades of pineapple upside-down cake and salted praline that all come together in the glass. The palate is rich and viscous, having great weight but a sterling tension that runs through the core of chard fruits that mingle with pineapple cream, ripe banana and nutmeg dusted Challah bread flavors. Wait for the exceedingly long finish that delights at the end. A gorgeous wine to enjoy right now, the 2017 ‘Hyde Vineyard’ will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2016 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2017 ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay is an incredible effort from this famed site in the Russian River Valley. Sourced from vines planted in 1972, the ’Ritchie Vineyard stands squarely in the center of the Russian River AVA. On the nose this takes on classy aromatics of baking spices and peat moss with layers of ripe orchard fruits and creme brulee tones that all mingle in the glass. The palate is wonderfully balanced with a seamless texture that makes this effortless glide across the mid-palate. Ripe mango and honeydew melon tones combine with shades of cinnamon dusted sourdough bred and lemon vanilla cream flavors. The vibrant minerality makes this nearly impossible to put down right now. Gorgeous in its youth, this brilliant new wine has a masisive aging potential ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Fort Ross-Seaview’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Sonoma Coast AVA, the ‘Fort Ross-Seaview’ Chardonnay is another sensational bottling by Ramey. A whiff of salted orchard fruits really provide immediate appeal, with baking spices, and shades of apricot with green apple tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is fresh and vibrant with terrific acidity and a silky, almost unctuous texture. With brisk acidity once on the attack, this delivers copious melon and lemon tones alongside salty minerals, and smoky undertones. The length is really gratifying here. Fantastic and gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, enjoy this terroir-driven Chardonnay over the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 94
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- Mainly sourced from the De La Montanya and Butcher Vineyards, this outstanding release was aged for 14 months in 39% new French barrels (François Frères, Demptos and Taransaud) before bottling. Shades of teaberry, red florals and cran-orange tones are woven together with cinnamon and cloves, pomegranate seed and damp loamy soils on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is very soft and inviting with a great sense of minerality and silky texture. Bright red fruits parade with orange zest, cola and minerals, with smoky and silty undertones on the palate. Complex and delicious now at the three year mark, the beautiful 2017 ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Sonoma Coast’ Syrah-The 2017 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Syrah opens with a beautiful bouquet of smoked pork shoulder and Hoisin sauce that marvelously mingles with red cherry candy, red currents and shades of tobacco leaf that all come together in the glass. The palate is silky and layered, with a great freshness and saline streak. Ripe black fruits dance with saline drenched orange zest, guava and black tea on the palate. Seriously good right now, and showing excellent range and structure, the 2017 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Syrah will enjoy another decade of cellaring. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2015 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Cole Creek Vineyard’ Syrah- This is now the second visit to the gorgeous 2015 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Cole Creek Vineyard’ Syrah. The tones of smoked meats, black currants, exotic spices and bulls blood give this a very Cote Rotie feel. Soft and generous on the mouth, this delivers a great feeling of weight and freshness. The silky texture rentices as baking spices and Kalmata olives mingle with smoked pork shoulder, black cherry cordial and black licorice. Great to enjoy at the five year mark, this has a long way to go. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2015 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Rodger’s Creek Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2015 Ramey Wine Cellars ‘Rodger’s Creek Vineyard’ Syrah is a stunning wine from the Sonoma Coast AVA. This screams terroir once in the glass, unveiling smoky and savory tones galore, with exotic spices and salty tones that make you anticipate your first sip. Once on the mouth, this shows off a soft, silky texture. Blackberry cobbler and blueberry pie parade with smoked brisket, minerals and shades of salted bacon all create an incredible picture on the palate. The length just adds to the enjoyment as the truly one of a kind 2015 ‘Rodgers’s Creek Vineyard’ Syrah will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2029- 95
2017 Ramey Wine Cellars Claret Red Wine- Sourced from the North Coast, the wine is a great blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (44%) and Merlot (20%) with smaller portions Malbec, Petit Verdot and Syrah that was aged in French oak before bottling. The nose is quite perfumed with creme de cassis, blackberry jam and shades of coffee grounds that all come together in the glass. The palate has great verve and richness, with a light dusting of salinity that melds together with the good tension of the wine. Layers of dark fruits and cocoa powder, alongside leafy and herbal undertones complete this brilliant new wine. Satisfying to enjoy in its youth, the 2017 ‘Claret’ will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92