95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Grapes for the 2023 Chardonnay Russian River Valley were harvested over the course of a month, from initial picks on September 13 to the last pick on October 14. It was barrel-fermented, underwent full malolactic conversion and was matured for 12 months in 10% new French oak barrels. It has open, inviting aromas of stone fruit and pineapple, panna cotta, ginger, toasted brioche and honey. The palate combines concentrated, layered flavors with fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a very long, perfumed finish.

94pts Wine Spectator

Leaps out of the glass with intensity, offering vibrant fruit flavors of crisp Meyer lemon, apple and pear. Aromatic details of tangerine, lime sherbet and lemon blossoms add complexity alongside fresh herbal accents of lemon balm and sweetgrass. Crushed rock minerality lingers on the long, expressive finish.

94pts James Suckling

Energetic acidity and ample fruit flavors give this full-bodied wine a sense of strength and structure. After a blast of green apple, pine bough and citrus aromas, an array of subtle baking spice, ripe pear and baked apple flavors come out as you sip.

About the Wine

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. The 2023 vintage is 26% Lafranchi, 18% Westside Farms, 16% Sonoma Foothills, 15% Martinelli Laughlin, 12% Kilcullen, 9% Dutton Sebastopol, and 4% Frank Johnson.

Winery Notes

'Ramey Wine Cellars directly influenced 21st century winemaking and set a new standard for what California could achieve. Success in launching the family’s namesake winery was not preordained. Starting from humble origins, through intellectual leadership and hands-on experience, Ramey has risen to be considered one of the iconic wineries of California.

David and Carla Ramey founded the winery in 1996 and forged a new California winemaking style that paired old-world techniques with the premier fruit of Sonoma and Napa. The Ramey family has long excelled at collaborating with other multigenerational winegrowers to make single vineyard wines as well as blends that showcase the defining characteristics of their sites. The second generation, Claire and Alan Ramey, began working at the winery in 2013 and have been cross-trained in all aspects of winery operations. In 2021, Claire and Alan became co-presidents of Ramey Wine Cellars. The vision is unwavering: to make classic wines from Sonoma and Napa that belong amongst the world’s best.'

Blend: 100% Chardonnay