One of the great winemakers in North America, David Ramey is the owner/winemaker of Ramey Wine Cellars, producer of some of the best Chardonnay on this planet. The winery sources from some of the great vineyards in Sonoma, including the Hyde and Ritche Vineyards. He makes wines that embody good balance and poise, regardless of vintage. His single vineyard Chardonnays in particular show incredible terroir, richness, range and poise that put them in the upper echelon of California Chardonnay. For my palate, these might just be the finest Chardonnays that I have tasted from David Ramey over the past fifteen years.
I adored the 2018 Ramey ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 96) which is one of the best Chardonnays in North America that I have tasted in the past year. Even their lower priced bottling from the Sonoma Coast was incredible. Their 2018 Ramey ‘Fort Ross-Seaview’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) literally screams terroir with its salty tones and beautiful length. Learn more about these incredible new wines at http://www.rameywine.com Here are the great new releases by Ramey.
2018 Ramey ‘Fort Ross-Seaview’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Fort Ross-Seaview’ Chardonnay is sourced from the Martinelli Charles Ranch which is two miles from the Pacific Ocean. The wine shows off a pretty bouquet with saline drenched orchard fruits with lime zest and flinty undertones. The palate is beautifully textured with a soft mouthfeel and wonderful length. The sense of place and balance here is sensational. Gorgeous now, this will continue to deliver drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. But why wait? Drink 2021-2033- 94
2018 Ramey ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The acclaimed ‘Hyde Vineyard’ is located on the Napa side of the Carneros district and has old Wente clone Chardonnay set on Haire Clay Loam soils. Aged for 20 months in 25% new French oak, this shows off flinty undertones alongside wild mushroom, peat moss and ripe Japanese pear on the nose. The palate is soft, showing good depth and an opulent texture yet maintaining a high degree of verve. Layers of buttercream, brioche, salted Marcona almond and Pink Lady apple all parade alongside minerals and smoky undertones. Drink 2021-2035- 95
2018 Ramey ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ is set on sandy Goldridge loam with Old Wente clonal selection Chardonnay that was planted back in 1972. The Chardonnay was also aged for 20 months in 25% new French oak and shows off aromas of smoke and pine needles alongside ripe pear, nectarine and roasted hazelnuts. The palate is big and bold, yet vibrant with a massive veil of tension that runs through the core of orchard and citrus fruits, with salt and baking spice dusted Challah bread. The exceedingly long finish really impresses. Gorgeous now, this impeccably balanced wine with gobs of stuffing will provide drinking enjoyment for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 96
2018 Ramey ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Chardonnay was mostly sourced from the Mid-40 block (84%) of the vineyard, as this saw 25% new French oak for 20 months prior to bottling. The nose verges on tropical fruits with roasted pineapple, vanilla cream, cardamom and salted Macadamia nut on this absolutely intoxicating bouquet. The palate shows great viscosity with a light dusting of salinity. Bright pear and starfruit tones combine with French bread, white truffle and suggestions of dried mango. The flavor range here is just extraordinary, as is the combination of poise and richness. Utterly gorgeous in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar for another twenty years. Drink 2021-2035- 96
2018 Ramey ‘Westside Farms’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Westside Farms’ Chardonnay’ is sourced from Ramey’s estate 75-acre ranch that is set on Yolo silty loam soils. Aged for 20 months in 25% new French oak this takes on pineapple and lemon zest alongside nutmeg and Shitakii mushroom tones that all dance in the glass. The palate is seamless with a great combination of weight, texture and verve. Layers of toasty oak and salted Macadamia nut collide with smoky minerals, lemon oil and a light dusting of white pepper. While not as big as the ‘Rochioli’ bottling, this expresses impeccable balance and has some seriously good aging potential. Drink 2021-2035- 95
2018 Ramey ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The incredible 2018 ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ is owned by the Maritnelli family but has been planted to David Ramey’s specifications since 2007. Once on the nose, the dense pear and green apple tones impress, alongside wet stone, apricot and shades of orange blossom. The palate is beautifully balanced with great weight and viscosity, as well as a light dusting of salinity. Lemon oil topped brioche combines with Gravenstein apple, sourdough bread and baking spices on the palate. Fantastic to savor now with its great sense of freshness, like the other ’18 bottlings, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2035- 95