Berry Bros – 2017 Ramey release – Single Vineyard Chardonnays on flying form
Hello there!
I am pleased to offer an array of Californian Chardonnays from Ramey Wine Cellars. The drive behind the estate is to showcase single vineyards, terroir expressions, from around Napa and Sonoma and we are fortunate to have quite the line-up today.
David Ramey is a leading figure in California’s vinous history and his impact on white winemaking cannot be disputed. He cut his teeth at Dominus Winery, where in 1996, he persuaded the estate to allow him to make a batch of Chardonnay, an experiment of sorts. We have all benefited from this trial run, which was clearly such a success that in the same year David and his wife, Carla, set up Ramey Wine Cellars.
After a few years of back and forth, working for Rudd Estate, David decided to channel all his energy into his namesake, Ramey Wine Cellars. Since then, developments such as: the addition of more single vineyards to the portfolio, the appointment of charismatic Director of Sales, David Fisher and a new winery in the making at Westside Farms have all resulted in rave critic reviews and a loyal customer following.
The comparatively cooler climate of Russian River Valley, teamed with the fog in the mornings facilitates a long ripening period, which suits the early-ripener, Chardonnay. These conditions create perfectly ripe grapes with pronounced acidity. Within the Russian River Valley AVA, there are a variety of soils and expositions so let’s look at the vineyards in more detail:
Hyde Vineyard – one of the few sites situated in Carneros, Napa Valley. The grapes remain relatively cool due to the ocean breezes that flow through the Petaluma Gap. Heavy, clay soils also keep the vines from cool.
Ritchie Vineyard – you will find Ritchie vineyard in the centre of the Russian River AVA. The land is proliferated with gnarly, old vines that yield very small volumes of concentrated Chardonnay. The soil is predominated by sandy loam soils.
Rochioli Vineyard – this site is split into three sub-sections each containing a different Chardonnay clone. The contours of the valley along with the close proximity to the ocean allow for cooling breezes to flow over the vines.
Woolsey Road Vineyard– clay loam soils from which cuttings from Hyde vineyard have been planted. One of the newer additions to Ramey Wine Cellars but one that receives high praise for its balance and purity.
Westside Farms– the vines snake along the bank of the Russian River and whilst, the low-lying fog keeps the grapes cool, sunlight comes from both east and west ensures fullness in the wines. There’s no austerity here!
Ramey’s aim is to marry Old World traditions with New World flair and, with a climate that is the perfect match for Chardonnay, I think they have succeeded.
The whole collection is worth having in the cellar but if I had to choose my favourite, from the selection it would be 2017 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay, which is rich and intense but balanced and great value compared to its peers.
2017 Russian River Valley Chardonnay – £336 per 12 bottle case in bond
A blend of vineyards from Russian River Valley, this is the most effective way of introducing yourself to Ramey Wine Cellars.
‘’The 2018 Russian River Chardonnay is a stunning introduction to Ramey’s rich style. Soft white peach flesh with a hint of grapefruit are the first flavours to emerge. Pastry, brioche along with a savoury, smoky note all play starring roles but the whiff of gunflint on the nose is the real winner. After a few hours, butter could be detected, which adds flavour but also a full texture, which I would expect from Ramey. Less about tropical, more about stone fruit this is lively on the palette with a juicy quality that’s hard to beat. Drink 2021-2030.’’
Tatiana Humphreys, Private Account Manager
‘’The 2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley has a lush perfume of quince paste, honeycomb, candle smoke and hay. The palate is medium to full-bodied, rounded and savory with great freshness to lift the long, nutty finish. 8,289 cases produced. Drink 2020-2025.’’
92/100 Erin Brookes, Wine Advocate
2017 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros – £516 per 12 bottle case in bond
“As usual the Hyde Chardonnay does not disappoint, The nose is quite shy to start with a lovely lemon buttery note and hint of mint. The palate is dense with orange fruit, plum layered aside a crème brulee note and yet lifted by some great acidity. A typical profile for Hyde and yet this needs a few more years in bottle. Classy and yet vibrantly delicious. 2023 – 2030.”
Stuart Rae, Commercial Manager, Fine Wine Services
‘’The 2017 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is still youthfully shy. Aromas of saline, raw almonds, jasmine and white peach lead to a medium-bodied but still mineral-driven palate, with hints of savory nuance to come, finishing long. Give it another few years in bottle. 585 cases produced. Drink 2021-2028.’’
93+/100 Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley-£516 per 12 bottle case in bond
‘’Slight reduction on the nose gives a gunflinty quality which is very attractive. White flowers, a touch of lime and some oatmeal. In short a very complex but inviting nose. Lots of citrus on the palate with a touch of hazelnut taking me to Meursault. The oak is barely noticeable and adds a very fine sweet spice element. I’ve been a fan of Ramey’s Chardonnays since I first tasted them 10 years ago and this latest edition from the famed Ritchie vineyard certainly doesn’t disappoint! Drink 2022-2030.’’
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager
‘’The 2017 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is perfumed with soft white blossoms, quince, beeswax and a nutty undercurrent. Medium-bodied and super silky, it expands to perfumed peachy fruit in the mouth, segueing to bright acidity and nutty nuances on the very long, energetic finish. 683 cases produced. Drink 2020-2027.’’
94/100 Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – £516 per 12 bottle case in bond
“The 2017 Rochioli is full of white fruit, pear and lovely florality / hint of honey on the nose. It has a medium bodied palate and is energetic and yet has a smooth depth of yellow plum fruit, butter. This is deep and layered – a delicious Chardonnay. Powerful and a touch closed at the moment and so I’d give it another 3-5 years in bottle at least. 2022 – 2025+.”
Stuart Rae, Commercial Manager, Fine Wine Services
‘’The 2017 Chardonnay Rochioli Vineyard opens with toasty apples, gunflint, dried hay and a minerally undercurrent. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is super energetic with mineral-laced fruits, bright freshness and a long, textured finish. 766 cases produced. Drink 2020-2026.’’
93/100 Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 Woolsey Road Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – £516 per 12 bottle case in bond
‘’Still a relatively new site in the Ramey range, but one of David’s favourites for good reason. There has always been an orange blossom note from the Goldridge loam and that is here in abundance this year. Along with plenty of other citrus and white fruit. Quite rich on the palate, there is also a salinity that is the hallmark of all of these wines, balancing power and freshness. David Ramey really has mastered Chardonnay in this corner of California. I urge you to have a least a case in the cellar. Drink 2021-2028.’’
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager
‘’The 2017 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard is savory and earthy with notes of roasted almonds, graphite, mushroom powder and a hint of honeycomb. The medium to full-bodied palate’s expansive, silky character is contrasted by tangy acidity and rocky minerality, finishing very long and pure. It will benefit from another two to three years in bottle. 769 cases produced. Drink 2020-2026.’’
93+/100 Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
2017 Westside Farms Chardonnay, Russian River Valley – £516 per 12 bottle case in bond
‘’We’ve stepped up a gear here but in a subtle way. This is a tightly wound single vineyard with a complex array of sweet spice, vanilla pods and white chocolate on the nose. Chardonnay is on flying form at the 2017 Westside Farms site and you can feel the sunshine of Russian River emanating from the glass. Apricot pastries, custard creams with acidity that lifts the wine. The wine is viscous, full and juicy and whilst it’s ready to go now, I would give it a bit of time in the cellar. The lasting citrus flavour on the finish keeps you coming back for one more sip. Drink 2022-2033.’’
Tatiana Humphreys, Private Account Manager
‘’The 2017 Chardonnay Westside Farms Vineyard opens with soft white apricots, peaches and floral perfume with nuances of honey and hazelnuts. Medium-bodied and silky, it swells with honeyed flavors in the mouth, refreshed by tangy acidity and finishing long and minerally. 216 cases produced. This comes from Ramey’s new estate vineyard, purchased in 2014, located close to Rochioli along the Russian River. 216 cases were made. Drink 2020-2025.’’
92/100 Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
Due to land in Jan 2021.
Please do let me know if you would like a case or two for your cellar.
Kind regards,
Ian O’Kane
Fine Wine Sales (Ireland)
Berry Bros. & Rudd
28-32 Pembroke Street, Dublin 2
T: +353 1906 5326
M: +353 (0)86 601 4722
www.bbr.com
