Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2023
(Sonoma, California) - [DM 95] [WA 95] [WS 94] [JS 94] [OB 94]

About the Winery:
David Ramey is unquestionably one of the most renowned winemakers in California. He has made wines and consulted for some of the top names in Napa Valley and France, including Chateau Pétrus (the world's most expensive Bordeaux), Chalk Hill, Matanzas Creek, Dominus Estate, and Rudd. He founded his namesake winery in 1996.

About this Wine:

Vineyards
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 2021 vintage is 55% Westside Farms, 18% Kilcullen, 13% Dutton Sebastopol, 10% Martinelli Charles Ranch, and 4% Frank Johnson.

Harvest Date: Aug 28 – Sept 6
Brix: 22.4˚ average
Soil: These are cool sites, with low vigor soil such as Goldridge Loam, planted between 1978 and 2006.
Clones: The vineyards are mostly planted to UC Davis Clone 4, known for its prominent acidity and large clusters, with lesser percentages of Wente and aromatic clones like Rued.
AVA: Russian River Valley

Winemaking
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: We press whole clusters for phenolic delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage.
Aging: After aging 12 months in 10% new French oak barrels (Taransaud Beaune, François Frères), the Chardonnay was traditionally fined for clarity during the following harvest and bottled without filtration in January 2023.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:

"Sourced from Lafranchi, Westside Farms, Sonoma Foothills, Martinelli Laughlin, Kilcullen, Dutton Sebastopol, and Frank Johnson—all cool-climate sites with low-vigour soils such as Goldridge loam, planted between 1978 and 2017 and aged for 12 months on the lees in barrel (10% new French oak). This is clean and sleek, a beautifully balanced medium-bodied Chardonnay with luxuriously ripe stone and orchard fruit. Exotic baking spices complement layers of guava, white peach, and macerated mango with apricot. But what’s most impressive is the intensity and purity of the fruit—so precisely delineated, profoundly spicy, and laser-focused. At $50, this is one of the finest, most balanced, and well-structured Chardonnays from the Russian River Valley at this price point." - JC

95 Points - 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." 

94 Points - 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. Drink now."

94 Points - 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. *Highly Recommended*" - MW (July 2025)

94 Points - Owen Bargreen:

"The downright delicious 2023 Ramey ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay is forward and juicy on the mouth. Caramel and poached pear mingle well with buttered French bread and roasted pineapple, and copious stony minerals. The texture and sense of freshness here is just sensational. This has to be up there with the finest Ramey ‘Russian River Valley’ that I have tasted. Drink 2025-2033."