Ramey Russian River Chardonnay 2018
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Coming from special vineyard sites, the 2018 Chardonnays show great depth of flavor, length of finish, aromatic complexity, and a fine balance between richness and delicacy. Typically, the climate is cool and the soil vigor low, producing graceful yet vibrant wines.
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Wine Enthusiast
An incredible showcase for the appellation, this combines grapes from the producer’s estate Westside Farms with Dutton, Woolsey Road and Rochioli Allen, among others. Together it is broadly floral, earthy and richly integrated, with depth and complexity, the acidity vibrantly fresh.
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Wine & Spirits
David Ramey blends this wine from a selection of five sites planted from 1978 to 2006—the biggest contribution from Westside Farms. He ferments the wine spontaneously in François Frères and Taransaud barrels (15 percent new) and the integration of that oak is impressive, allowing the wine’s coastal freshness to provide the dominant impression. Scents of honeysuckle and ginger brighten the wine, while the leesiness adds complexity, with an iodine note and a lasting, intriguing tension.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Chardonnay Russian River Valley has aromas of citrus peel, quince and almonds with a unique, super-spicy undercurrent. The medium-bodied palate offers intense, ripe fruits in a seamless, silky package, and it finishes long and lush.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Readers who like classic, impeccably made, authentic California Chardonnay should jump on the 2018 Chardonnay Russian River Valley as it doesn't shy away from its California fruit yet is balanced, fresh, and lengthy. Stone fruits, honeyed toast, baking spice, and hints of tropical flowers emerge from the glass, and this medium-bodied, textured 2018 will drink well for at least 7-8 years.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay offers an excellent ride on the palate and into its finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings the full force of Chardonnay charms. Enjoy its aromas and flavors of savory spices, ripe fruit, and a touch of oak with grilled chicken thighs in a wild mushroom sauce. (Tasted: December 24, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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David Ramey is among a distinguished group of pioneering American vintners who revolutionized modern-day winemaking and elevated California to the forefront of the international wine community. Hailed as “Professor Chardonnay” by Wine Spectator, David’s groundbreaking work with indigenous yeasts, sur lies aging and malolactic and barrel fermentation yielded a new California Chardonnay style that was richer, more lush and silky smooth. Ramey Wine Cellars crafts exceptional expressions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir from top vineyards in Sonoma and Napa.
After earning a graduate degree at UC Davis, with his thesis on how aromas evolve in wine, David Ramey pursued a hands-on education in Old World winemaking traditions. He worked at Chateau Pétrus and would later apply these time-honored methods to California’s premier vineyards. In California, David led winemaking for Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus Estate and Rudd Estate. In 1996, David and his wife Carla founded Ramey Wine Cellars with the vision of crafting classically styled, elegant and balanced wines that age beautifully.
Still exclusively owned by the Rameys, the next generation, Claire and Alan Ramey, work at the winery as well. They have been training under their father and working in various roles across the winery, from vineyards to production to winemaking and more. Over the years, a team of highly talented colleagues have joined the winery where they continually push to make the best wines possible. Ramey Wine Cellars crafts exceptional expressions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir from top vineyards in Sonoma and Napa. Tastings are offered by appointment in Healdsburg, California.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.