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2023 Ramey, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California, USA

  • White
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
  • Chardonnay
Not ready (Drink 2026 - 2034)
Jonathan Cristaldi
95/100
Jim Gordon
94/100
Samantha Cole-Johnson
16.5/20
Product: 20231199581

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2023 Ramey, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Description

For some producers, following on from the success of the 2022 Russian River Valley Chardonnay (selected as one of the Top 10 wines of 2024 by the Wine Spectator) might seem a challenge. Not for Ramey Wine Cellars who have, once again, knocked it out of the park with this gorgeous 2023.

The nose is fine and lemon-scented with fresh yet deep citrus aromas at its core and a focused, salty-mineral top note. The palate is also full of that mouth-coating, lemon fruit, yet the core is savoury and precise with notes of brioche. All is hugely refreshing and perfectly in balance – a reflection of the cool, low vigour sites planted between 1978 and 2017 from which the grapes are sourced. The long finish is so elegant and sings on the palate with a graceful, focused sandstone minerality. This is world-class Chardonnay, and absolutely unbeatable at this price.

Catriona Felstead MW, USA Buyer (April 2025)

Colour White
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2023
Alcohol % 13.5%
Maturity Not ready (2026 - 2034)
Grape List Chardonnay
Body Full Bodied
Producer Ramey Wine Cellars

Critics reviews

Jonathan Cristaldi 95/100
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.
Drink 2025 - 2036
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter.com (Jan 2025)
Jim Gordon 94/100
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.
Jim Gordon, JamesSuckling.com (Apr 2025)
Samantha Cole-Johnson 16.5/20

Full bottle 1,351 g. 26% LaFranchi, 16% Sonoma Foothills, 15% Westside Farms, 13% Martinelli Laughlin, 10% Kilcullen, 8% Dutton Sebastopol, 5% Frank Johnson, 4% Hyde, 3% Woolsey Road. Sites planted between 1975 and 2006. Harvested between 13 September and 14 October. Fruit whole-cluster pressed. Ambient-yeast fermentation and malolactic conversion in 10% new French oak, remainder neutral. Lees stirred. Aged 12 months.

Medium lemon. Very open – easy to drink now despite its youth and evident ageability. Leesy and creamy on the nose with ripe apple and pear. The palate is generously textured with fresh acidity and a long finish.
Drink 2025 - 2030
Samantha Cole-Johnson, JancisRobinson.com (Feb 2025)

About this wine

Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley, California, is renowned for cool-climate varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its proximity to the ocean and diverse soils create vibrant wines with balanced acidity. Winemakers prioritise sustainability, crafting exceptional wines that reflect the region's unique terroir.
Find out more

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