2006 Ramey “Ritchie Vineyard” Chardonnay
Russian River Valley, California
Wine Spectator 95 Points – “Deliciously complex, full-bodied and layered with flavors, offering citrus and tropical fruit, with hints of anise and buttery oak, yet the acidity keeps the flavors tangy and vibrant. Drink now through 2012. 1,300 cases made.” (12/08)
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine 94 Points - ” Seemingly the deepest and most energetically balanced of the exceptional Ramey trio, this wine is a touch simpler in its central character and a bit sweeter in its fruit. It is going to have great appeal for uses with the less briny, small oysters and with fish like Dover sole than it will with more savory foods, but it is a lso likely to find greater range over time, and may turn out to be the longest lived of the Ramey trio.”
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar 93 Points – “Light yellow-gold. Highly perfumed aromas of lemon pith, green apple, wet stone and honeysuckle, with subtle oak spice adding depth. Weighty orchard fruit flavors are given bite by citrus zest and pith qualities, with a gentle leesy character emerging on the back end. Offers a striking combination of power and finesse, and finishes impressively precise, with excellent spicy persistence.”
Robert Parker 91 Points – “More lemon oil, hazelnut, and smoke are present in the 2006 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard. Full-bodied, fresh, and lively, it is an outstanding effort.”