2017 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
100% Chardonnay from: 74% Westside Farms; 11% Dutton Sebastopol; 10% Martinelli Charles Ranch; 5% Rochioli Allen. These are cool sites, with low vigour soil such as Goldridge Loam, planted between 1969 and 2006. The vineyards are planted to a larger-clustered clones such as UC Davis clone 4, younger planting of Wente and Dijon selection. Whole-cluster pressed, spontaneous fermentation and natural malolactic conversion take place in barrel on lees with stirring. 12 months in 25% new French oak and 5% concrete egg. Fined and bottled in February 2019. Glorious flair on the nose. Clotted cream. Sandalwood. Spiced melon. But real bite coming through the richness. Wonderful structure – lime-and-dust sharp minerality and texture, fresh Seville orange and clove, hot granite and iced salted lemon. Magnificent. (TC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
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.
Golden fruits, caramelized pineapple, spice, and some salty mineral notes all emerge from the 2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley, one of the more upfront, approachable, fruit-driven wines in the lineup. Nevertheless, it has the purity of fruit, balance, and length that's shared by all of these Chardonnay from Ramey. It's a great introduction into the wines of this estate and ideal for drinking while you give the single vineyard releases bottle age.
Full and flamboyant on the nose but with admirable leanness and finesse on the palate. Very tight and focused. Super-appetising. One of the driest wines I have tasted so far in this big California tasting in London, with a little good astringency on the end. Long. With good juiciness. I’d like to taste this blind alongside a similarly priced white burgundy. (JR)