This best-barrel blend of two Sonoma vineyards takes rich and powerful fruit from the Ritchie Vineyard and elevates it with the refreshing and aromatic fruit of the Rued Vineyard.
Kent Ritchie planted the Ritchie vineyard in the heart of Sonoma's Russian River Valley in the early 70's to the esteemed and low yielding Wente clone of Chardonnay. This ancient seabed turned gentle, pacific-facing hills feature sandy Goldridge soils with marine fossils still evident in the vineyard. This is an American equivalent to a French Grand Cru vineyard.
Developed by the Rued family in 1969, the Purrington Rued vineyard is nestled on a southwest-facing hillside of Sonoma's Green Valley where it receives a cooling maritime influence from the Pacific. The sedimentary gravel and marine deposit laden soil bring out the best in its unique Musque clone Chardonnay.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 97+ POINTS - "The 2019 Chardonnay AK Cuvee is winemaker Russell Bevan's barrel selection blend of roughly three barrels of Ritchie vineyard and two barrels of Rued vineyard. It prances out of the glass with showy notes of fresh apricots, nutmeg and mandarin peel, over a core of pear tart, shaved ginger and beeswax. The full-bodied, concentrated palate is full-on opulent, featuring layers of satin-textured stone fruit and baking spice flavors, finishing with epic length. So. Good."
JEB DUNNUCK 97 POINTS - "A blend of all the single vineyards put together by winemaker Russell Bevan, the 2019 Chardonnay AK Cuvee knocks it out of the park and gives up a stunning array of lemon oil, toasted brioche, spice, flower oil, and hints of almonds. It's ripe yet still lively and fresh on the palate, with a seamless texture and great overall balance. It's a killer Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 4-5 years."
Kent Ritchie planted the Ritchie vineyard in the heart of Sonoma's Russian River Valley in the early 70's to the esteemed and low yielding Wente clone of Chardonnay. This ancient seabed turned gentle, pacific-facing hills feature sandy Goldridge soils with marine fossils still evident in the vineyard. This is an American equivalent to a French Grand Cru vineyard.
Developed by the Rued family in 1969, the Purrington Rued vineyard is nestled on a southwest-facing hillside of Sonoma's Green Valley where it receives a cooling maritime influence from the Pacific. The sedimentary gravel and marine deposit laden soil bring out the best in its unique Musque clone Chardonnay.
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 97+ POINTS - "The 2019 Chardonnay AK Cuvee is winemaker Russell Bevan's barrel selection blend of roughly three barrels of Ritchie vineyard and two barrels of Rued vineyard. It prances out of the glass with showy notes of fresh apricots, nutmeg and mandarin peel, over a core of pear tart, shaved ginger and beeswax. The full-bodied, concentrated palate is full-on opulent, featuring layers of satin-textured stone fruit and baking spice flavors, finishing with epic length. So. Good."
JEB DUNNUCK 97 POINTS - "A blend of all the single vineyards put together by winemaker Russell Bevan, the 2019 Chardonnay AK Cuvee knocks it out of the park and gives up a stunning array of lemon oil, toasted brioche, spice, flower oil, and hints of almonds. It's ripe yet still lively and fresh on the palate, with a seamless texture and great overall balance. It's a killer Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 4-5 years."
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