Ramey Wine Cellars

California

Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley

$40 USD

Release Price

Drink Window

14.5%

ABV

pH

TA

RS

Growing Conditions

Coming from special vineyard sites, our 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.

Our 2012 Russian River Chardonnay is 35% from four different Dutton ranches (Hansen, Perry, Mengle, Sebastopol); 17% from Martinelli’s Laughlin Road Vineyard; 15% from King Vineyard; 11% from four Rochioli vineyards (Allen, Mid-40, River, Hill); 9% from Forchini Vineyard; 5% from Hudson Vineyard; 4% Ritchie Vineyard; 3% Green Pastures (a 42-year-old Wente vineyard back Felta Creek Road); and 1% from Hyde Vineyard.

The 2012 growing season was close to ideal with temperate and steady temperatures that produced a long, moderate growing season with extended hang time and even ripening. The slightly warmer climate compared with our Sonoma Coast sites results in an earlier harvest from these vineyards with a somewhat richer texture and flavor than our Sonoma Coast bottling.

Bottling

This wine was then bottled without filtration in February, 2014.

Winemaking

We press the whole clusters for delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage.

Aging

Our appellation Chardonnays are given less new oak—18% percent in 2012—and spend less time in barrel—twelve months–than the single-vineyard Chardonnays, but otherwise are made identically. After aging in barrel 12 months, it is fined and stabilized in tank during the following harvest.

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