Ramey Russian River Chardonnay 2018

  • 95 Wine
    Enthusiast
  • 94 Wine &
    Spirits
  • 93 Robert
    Parker
  • 93 Jeb
    Dunnuck
  • 92 Wilfred
    Wong
4.0 Very Good (71)
2022 Vintage In Stock
54 99
OFFER Take $20 off your order of $100+
Ships today if ordered in next 4 hours
You scanned this 3/28/24
1
Limit Reached
You scanned this 3/28/24
Alert me about new vintages and availability
Ramey Russian River Chardonnay 2018  Front Bottle Shot
Ramey Russian River Chardonnay 2018  Front Bottle Shot Ramey Russian River Chardonnay 2018  Front Label

Product Details


Varietal

Region

Producer

Vintage
2018

Size
750ML

ABV
14.5%

Your Rating

0.0 Not For Me NaN/NaN/N

Somm Note

Winemaker Notes

Coming from special vineyard sites, the 2018 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.

Professional Ratings

  • 95
    An incredible showcase for the appellation, this combines grapes from the producer’s estate Westside Farms with Dutton, Woolsey Road and Rochioli Allen, among others. Together it is broadly floral, earthy and richly integrated, with depth and complexity, the acidity vibrantly fresh.
  • 94

    David Ramey blends this wine from a selection of five sites planted from 1978 to 2006—the biggest contribution from Westside Farms. He ferments the wine spontaneously in François Frères and Taransaud barrels (15 percent new) and the integration of that oak is impressive, allowing the wine’s coastal freshness to provide the dominant impression. Scents of honeysuckle and ginger brighten the wine, while the leesiness adds complexity, with an iodine note and a lasting, intriguing tension.

  • 93

    The 2018 Chardonnay Russian River Valley has aromas of citrus peel, quince and almonds with a unique, super-spicy undercurrent. The medium-bodied palate offers intense, ripe fruits in a seamless, silky package, and it finishes long and lush.

  • 93

    Readers who like classic, impeccably made, authentic California Chardonnay should jump on the 2018 Chardonnay Russian River Valley as it doesn't shy away from its California fruit yet is balanced, fresh, and lengthy. Stone fruits, honeyed toast, baking spice, and hints of tropical flowers emerge from the glass, and this medium-bodied, textured 2018 will drink well for at least 7-8 years.

  • 92
    COMMENTARY: The 2018 Ramey Russian River Valley Chardonnay offers an excellent ride on the palate and into its finish. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings the full force of Chardonnay charms. Enjoy its aromas and flavors of savory spices, ripe fruit, and a touch of oak with grilled chicken thighs in a wild mushroom sauce. (Tasted: December 24, 2020, San Francisco, CA)

Other Vintages

2021
  • 95 Wine
    Enthusiast
  • 94 Wilfred
    Wong
  • 94 Wine
    Spectator
2020
  • 94 Wine
    Enthusiast
  • 93 Wine
    Spectator
  • 92 Wilfred
    Wong
2019
  • 95 Wine
    Enthusiast
  • 93 Jeb
    Dunnuck
  • 92 Robert
    Parker
  • 91 Wine
    Spectator
2017
  • 93 Jeb
    Dunnuck
  • 92 Robert
    Parker
2016
  • 93 Jeb
    Dunnuck
  • 93 Wilfred
    Wong
  • 91 Wine
    Spectator
2015
  • 92 Jeb
    Dunnuck
  • 90 Robert
    Parker
2014
  • 90 Robert
    Parker
2013
  • 93 Robert
    Parker
2012
  • 91 Robert
    Parker
2009
  • 95 Jeb
    Dunnuck
  • 90 Wine
    Spectator
2008
  • 90 Wine
    Spectator
2007
  • 91 Connoisseurs'
    Guide
  • 90 Robert
    Parker
2006
  • 90 Connoisseurs'
    Guide
2001
  • 91 Robert
    Parker
  • 90 Wine
    Spectator
Ramey

Ramey

View all products
Ramey, California
Ramey Winery Video

David Ramey is among a distinguished group of pioneering American vintners who revolutionized modern-day winemaking and elevated California to the forefront of the international wine community. Hailed as “Professor Chardonnay” by Wine Spectator, David’s groundbreaking work with indigenous yeasts, sur lies aging and malolactic and barrel fermentation yielded a new California Chardonnay style that was richer, more lush and silky smooth. Ramey Wine Cellars crafts exceptional expressions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir from top vineyards in Sonoma and Napa.

After earning a graduate degree at UC Davis, with his thesis on how aromas evolve in wine, David Ramey pursued a hands-on education in Old World winemaking traditions. He worked at Chateau Pétrus and would later apply these time-honored methods to California’s premier vineyards. In California, David led winemaking for Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus Estate and Rudd Estate. In 1996, David and his wife Carla founded Ramey Wine Cellars with the vision of crafting classically styled, elegant and balanced wines that age beautifully.

Still exclusively owned by the Rameys, the next generation, Claire and Alan Ramey, work at the winery as well. They have been training under their father and working in various roles across the winery, from vineyards to production to winemaking and more. Over the years, a team of highly talented colleagues have joined the winery where they continually push to make the best wines possible. Ramey Wine Cellars crafts exceptional expressions of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir from top vineyards in Sonoma and Napa. Tastings are offered by appointment in Healdsburg, California.

Image for Chardonnay Wine content section
View all products

One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.

Image for Russian River Valley Wine Sonoma County, California content section

Russian River Valley Wine

Sonoma County, California

View all products

A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

CHMRMY1301018_2018 Item# 690864

Internet Explorer is no longer supported.
Please use a different browser like Edge, Chrome or Firefox to enjoy all that Wine.com has to offer.

It's easy to make the switch.
Enjoy better browsing and increased security.

Yes, Update Now

Search for ""