With Smoked Lake Trout. Nose indicative of the Burgundian minerality, citrus (lemon, lime), richness and acidity on the palate. Has a "fizzy" note on the medium to full finish that is unique to Ritchie.
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There have been plenty of famous individuals, both real and not so real, with the name Ritchie, or in some cases spelled Richie. There’s Ritchie Valens the famous guitarist (I think I’m dating myself there), and how about Richie (spelled differently) Cunningham from Happy Days (still haven’t helped my case age-wise), and the infamous Richie from the Steven Seagal movie “Out for Justice,” who plays a drug-crazed killer (I think I’ll skip that one). Throw in those whose given name is Richard, and you’ve got way too many for me to even try to include.
Let’s see how Ritchie enters into the wine universe with today’s wine:
Ramey Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River Valley 2016
From the heart of the Russian River Valley sits Kent Ritchie’s auspicious vineyard, renowned for its vines and planted in 1972 of old Wente Clone selection known for their ability to sustainably produce the highest quality of fruit.
This wine is made from 100% Chardonnay that starts with gently pressed whole clusters with native yeasts then is allowed to undergo full malolactic fermentation followed by aging for 20 months in 20% new French oak barrels (François Freres), the wine is then fined and allowed to settle in the tank. It is bottled without filtration.
The wine starts with wonderful aromas of almond and citrus with a touch of butterscotch. Leading further to an opulent and almost muscular wine brimming with stone fruit notes with a vein of minerality running through it. The bright acidity is ever-present even unto the gripping finish leaving you with an OMG moment.
Though 2016 may not be available, rest assured more recent vintages provide for similar experiences. With David Ramey at the helm and Kent Ritchie providing the fruit, it’s a hard combo to beat.
Now if I can just get those visions of that crazed killer out of my mind, I might be able to sleep.
Cheers
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Wow. This wine was a showstopper from the first sip. Light straw color. Nose of toasted Marcona almonds with a touch of vanilla bean. Taste of perfectly ripe pineapple, with just a kiss of lemon zest. It walks a tightrope between richness and acidity with aplomb.
Don't serve too cold. Better with a chill, short of room temperature, but not cold.
“California Dreaming” tasting at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival early Mar 2020: pale amber color; intense bouquet of sweet vanilla and oak aromas/flavors; ethereal on the palate with delicate acidity.
Excellent California Chardonnay outfitted with an exuberant bouquet (meant in positive sense). However, I missed a bit the fruity side a Chardonnay should offer as well. After that indulging nose I excepted a thick, broad palate and was really (again positively) surprised by its finesse and feathery.
Directly compared to a Paul Hobbs and a Grgich Hills Commemorative Chardonnay 2016 (see tasting notes).
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Nose: Initial ripe apple, ripe pears, slightly ripe pineapple, some white flowers, dry river rocks and some oak (there's so much ripeness, the oak even seems sweet).
Palate: Deep ripe fruit, good minerality (slightly bitter and even a little bit savory) and a soft oak.
Medium gold color, slightly on the paler side. Dry (there's a lot of ripe fruit though, so there's a little bit of sweetness but not overdone) with little to no tannin. Full body with medium-minus to light-plus acidity. Great finish of at least 20+ seconds. This is dense on the mid palate but is still graceful on the front and on the finish. Lots of ripe fruit which gives it some sweetness but not overdone in any way. The acidity seems less than the other Ramey's I've had so far but in turn seems to gives the wine a density on the palate. Somehow, this stays elegant on the front and the finish but stays heavy on the mid palate. Clean, ripe fruit with good density and richness but is able to pull off some elegance.
Other notes: No decant, time in glass only. Burgundy glass. Served ~57° (eventually came to ~63°) and consumed within 2 hours.
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Sweetish, soft fennel, apricot, white flowers, a little honeycomb, soft oak, lighter feeling for a Chardonnay, creamy in the mouth. The whole family liked this, tasted good with our Dungeness crab. Tasted alongside the Ramey 2016 Rochioli Chardonnay. Both were good!
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Blind California Chardonnays: The nose shows lots of apricot, yellow apples and lime, with honeycomb, ginger snap cookies, coffee cake, but also these breezy, airy, floral elements as well. Lush texture on the palate but precise acidity, intriguing balance. Lemon and lime meringue, apricot and green apple (gorgeous fruit). The notes of peanut brittle and ginger snap mix well with the sea salt, chalk and yellow flower tones. Complex, harmonious, this could really age well, too. Aged 20 months in 18% new French oak.
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Aromas of bright orchard fruit, spring flowers along with almonds, vanilla and wet stone leads to a rich yet elegant palate full of ripe and succulent stone fruit, gripping acidity, salty textures and a long precise finish. Sourced from the Ritchie Vineyard less rich than Woosley and aged in 22% new French oak barrels for 20 months.
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12/29/2023 - deadwax Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good chard. Tasted younger than it is. Could hold this for several years. Great balance of acid and fruit.
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7/29/2022 - Bryan49 Likes this wine: 92 Points
With Smoked Lake Trout. Nose indicative of the Burgundian minerality, citrus (lemon, lime), richness and acidity on the palate. Has a "fizzy" note on the medium to full finish that is unique to Ritchie.
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6/15/2022 - marshalc Likes this wine: 95 Points
Classic Ramey, rich, Sonoma, structured. Aging well.
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6/5/2022 - SonnyChiba wrote: 94 Points
Excellent Chardonnay. Very Burgundian, love the acidity this brings.
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3/27/2022 - Berge65 Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was just delicious . Could have drank the whole bottle. Hoping I can get more!
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3/15/2022 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Famous "Ritchies"
There have been plenty of famous individuals, both real and not so real, with the name Ritchie, or in some cases spelled Richie. There’s Ritchie Valens the famous guitarist (I think I’m dating myself there), and how about Richie (spelled differently) Cunningham from Happy Days (still haven’t helped my case age-wise), and the infamous Richie from the Steven Seagal movie “Out for Justice,” who plays a drug-crazed killer (I think I’ll skip that one). Throw in those whose given name is Richard, and you’ve got way too many for me to even try to include.
Let’s see how Ritchie enters into the wine universe with today’s wine:
Ramey Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River Valley 2016
From the heart of the Russian River Valley sits Kent Ritchie’s auspicious vineyard, renowned for its vines and planted in 1972 of old Wente Clone selection known for their ability to sustainably produce the highest quality of fruit.
This wine is made from 100% Chardonnay that starts with gently pressed whole clusters with native yeasts then is allowed to undergo full malolactic fermentation followed by aging for 20 months in 20% new French oak barrels (François Freres), the wine is then fined and allowed to settle in the tank. It is bottled without filtration.
The wine starts with wonderful aromas of almond and citrus with a touch of butterscotch. Leading further to an opulent and almost muscular wine brimming with stone fruit notes with a vein of minerality running through it. The bright acidity is ever-present even unto the gripping finish leaving you with an OMG moment.
Though 2016 may not be available, rest assured more recent vintages provide for similar experiences. With David Ramey at the helm and Kent Ritchie providing the fruit, it’s a hard combo to beat.
Now if I can just get those visions of that crazed killer out of my mind, I might be able to sleep.
Cheers
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6/10/2021 - bubbachumps wrote: 94 Points
Powder vanilla, meyer lemon and some popcorn on the nose. Well balanced on the palate with a touch of spice on the finish.
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6/2/2021 - thelostverse wrote: 94 Points
Off the list at POV with dinner. Loads of lemon and other citrus in perfect balance with a long finish.
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3/5/2021 - DougSamuel Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow. This wine was a showstopper from the first sip. Light straw color. Nose of toasted Marcona almonds with a touch of vanilla bean. Taste of perfectly ripe pineapple, with just a kiss of lemon zest. It walks a tightrope between richness and acidity with aplomb.
Don't serve too cold. Better with a chill, short of room temperature, but not cold.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
3/7/2020 - Fatty Cat wrote: 91 Points
“California Dreaming” tasting at the Rheingau Gourmet Festival early Mar 2020: pale amber color; intense bouquet of sweet vanilla and oak aromas/flavors; ethereal on the palate with delicate acidity.
Excellent California Chardonnay outfitted with an exuberant bouquet (meant in positive sense). However, I missed a bit the fruity side a Chardonnay should offer as well. After that indulging nose I excepted a thick, broad palate and was really (again positively) surprised by its finesse and feathery.
Directly compared to a Paul Hobbs and a Grgich Hills Commemorative Chardonnay 2016 (see tasting notes).
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12/28/2019 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nose: Initial ripe apple, ripe pears, slightly ripe pineapple, some white flowers, dry river rocks and some oak (there's so much ripeness, the oak even seems sweet).
Palate: Deep ripe fruit, good minerality (slightly bitter and even a little bit savory) and a soft oak.
Medium gold color, slightly on the paler side. Dry (there's a lot of ripe fruit though, so there's a little bit of sweetness but not overdone) with little to no tannin. Full body with medium-minus to light-plus acidity. Great finish of at least 20+ seconds. This is dense on the mid palate but is still graceful on the front and on the finish. Lots of ripe fruit which gives it some sweetness but not overdone in any way. The acidity seems less than the other Ramey's I've had so far but in turn seems to gives the wine a density on the palate. Somehow, this stays elegant on the front and the finish but stays heavy on the mid palate. Clean, ripe fruit with good density and richness but is able to pull off some elegance.
Other notes: No decant, time in glass only. Burgundy glass. Served ~57° (eventually came to ~63°) and consumed within 2 hours.
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12/22/2019 - Lederhosen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sweetish, soft fennel, apricot, white flowers, a little honeycomb, soft oak, lighter feeling for a Chardonnay, creamy in the mouth. The whole family liked this, tasted good with our Dungeness crab. Tasted alongside the Ramey 2016 Rochioli Chardonnay. Both were good!
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12/2/2019 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 93 Points
Blind California Chardonnays: The nose shows lots of apricot, yellow apples and lime, with honeycomb, ginger snap cookies, coffee cake, but also these breezy, airy, floral elements as well. Lush texture on the palate but precise acidity, intriguing balance. Lemon and lime meringue, apricot and green apple (gorgeous fruit). The notes of peanut brittle and ginger snap mix well with the sea salt, chalk and yellow flower tones. Complex, harmonious, this could really age well, too. Aged 20 months in 18% new French oak.
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6/28/2019 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 95 Points
Aromas of bright orchard fruit, spring flowers along with almonds, vanilla and wet stone leads to a rich yet elegant palate full of ripe and succulent stone fruit, gripping acidity, salty textures and a long precise finish. Sourced from the Ritchie Vineyard less rich than Woosley and aged in 22% new French oak barrels for 20 months.
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