2016 Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Community Tasting Notes (21) Avg Score: 91.3 points

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  6/27/2023 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Another Backwards-Looking Wine
  
  Another trip to my cellar bemoans another review of some of my older wines. Not that I have that many older wines, just that some are of the white wine persuasion, which leaves me wondering if I should consider expediting their consumption.
  
  In this case, that’s exactly what I did, choosing today’s wine, the:
  
  Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2016
  
  Not that 7 years is a long time for such prestigious wine, only that I liked the wine when I reviewed it almost 3 years ago and I feel that my comment back then as to drinking this wine early was spot on. Not that the wine isn't drinking well, only that its maturity has transformed the wine to be richer rather than brighter; so plan accordingly.
  
  The first impression is a sort of smoky minerality and the fruit is predominately apple. There is a roundness to the wine that wants to mute the acidity, but acidity it still has. Given it is whole cluster pressed, fermented in barrel, and then aged for 12 months in 20% new French Oak, it would be easy to see where it got its smoky nuances.
  
  A product of 7 vineyards, the Russian River Valley Chard is barely bested by its siblings from the likes of some of those vineyards, such as Rochioli, Ritchie, Woolsey Road, Hudson, and Hyde. I think I might even have a couple of those floating around. Throw in the masterful ability of David Ramey to produce outstanding wines, and you’ll find superb wines whenever you see the Ramey label
  
  While I can’t say it’ll never happen again, I’m going to try and focus and wine that will prevent me from having to look backward as much as I have been lately.
  
  Cheers

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  11/18/2022 - BCJ99 wrote: 88 Points

  Sweet and ripe fruits, thick, noticeable alcohol, misses acidity and elegance for my taste

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  8/30/2021 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Sweet, floral, white peach. Persistent finish and straightforward. Medium acidity and body. Drink now, still fresh so will last a few years.

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  4/7/2021 - Baron Slick wrote: 94 Points

  Orchard and grove fruit aromas show beautiful restraint. Crisp, focused, and very Burgundian, with green apple, lime pith, and wet stone flavors that glide across the palate atop waves of elegance, tension, and vinosity. Gorgeous!

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  3/16/2021 - NCWW Likes this wine: 90 Points

  There's much to like in this typical RR Chardonnay. Lovely and will please for some years to go.

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