About 20 years ago, David Ramey was part of a select group of winemakers who became tired of "laboratory" or "squeaky clean" wines devoid of character. He wanted to bring terroir back into wines from California, and his success was the benefit of the consumer! David Ramey became known throughout the wine world as a winemaker associated with stellar quality, and he brought his expertise to brands such as Chalk Hill, Matanzas Creek, Dominus Estate, Rudd Estate, as well as his own brand.
This particular bottling is an amalgamation of several prestigious vineyards in the Russian River Valley, one of the best places in the world for growing Chardonnay. The cooling winds from the Pacific Ocean spread throughout the area, and help to moderate the temperatures throughout the day, whereas areas just to the east are exceptionally warmer. Also, the soils are a mix of sand, clay, and silt. The clay brings richness to a wine, while the sand brings more flowered aromatics and brightness in the wine. If you ask us, this sounds like the recipe for Chardonnay perfection!
Aged for 12 months in just 10% new French oak (as to not overpower the wine), this wine is a great balance between richness and delicacy. Last year's rendition was rated 94 points from Wine Spectator, and was placed on their Top 100 list! The 2023 vintage is even more highly-regarded, and we expect this wine to receive a similar score down the road.
This particular bottling is an amalgamation of several prestigious vineyards in the Russian River Valley, one of the best places in the world for growing Chardonnay. The cooling winds from the Pacific Ocean spread throughout the area, and help to moderate the temperatures throughout the day, whereas areas just to the east are exceptionally warmer. Also, the soils are a mix of sand, clay, and silt. The clay brings richness to a wine, while the sand brings more flowered aromatics and brightness in the wine. If you ask us, this sounds like the recipe for Chardonnay perfection!
Aged for 12 months in just 10% new French oak (as to not overpower the wine), this wine is a great balance between richness and delicacy. Last year's rendition was rated 94 points from Wine Spectator, and was placed on their Top 100 list! The 2023 vintage is even more highly-regarded, and we expect this wine to receive a similar score down the road.
