2017 Chardonnay Ritchie
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Tasting notes
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.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Seeing the standard 20 months in 20% new French oak, the 2017 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from one of the Grand Cru sites in the Russian River Valley. It has remarkable purity and elegance to go with ample richness (which is the hallmark of this site) as well as notes of ripe lemon and citrus fruits, lots of spice and crushed rock-like minerality, medium to full-bodied richness, and a great finish. It's up with the top Chardonnay in the vintage but needs 2-3 years of bottle age. It's going to be drinking brilliantly at age 15.
The 2017 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard needs a bit of time in bottle to be at its most expressive. It shows fine depth, creaminess and energy, but the elements are not all put together just yet. Light apricot, butter and floral notes hint at what is to come.