WINEMAKER NOTES:
This is the fourth vintage to come exclusively from the Martinelli Charles Ranch, two miles in from the Pacific at 1,115 ft elevation. Coming from a special vineyard site, our Sonoma Coast Chardonnay show great depth of flavor, length of finish, aromatic complexity, and a fine balance between richness and delicacy.
Ramey presses the fruit whole cluster for delicacy. Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrel, with sur lies bâtonnage. After aging 12 months in 15% new French oak barrels (François Frères and Taransaud Beaune), the Chardonnay was traditionally fined for clarity and texture during the following harvest and bottled without filtration.
TASTING NOTES:
The fruit for this impressive wine come entirely from the Martinelli Charles Ranch three miles in from the coast. Nutty, full-bodied and earthy, it shows a youthful grip around the edges of its otherwise lush, complex and generous richness, with a mineral-like quality of slate and salt on the finish.
- Wine Enthusiast, 94 pts.
Aromas of matchstick, lemon grass, oyster shell and lily. Medium-to full-bodied with very good complexity and structure. Citrus and straw mix on the palate. Stony finish. Drink or hold.
- James Suckling, 93 pts.
The 2019 Chardonnay Fort Ross-Seaview is vibrant with saline, oceanic minerality, lemon pith, and tarragon. The palate is curvy but focused, with green apple, Meyer lemon, delicate oak spice, and mouthwatering acidity.
- Jeb Dunnuck, 93 pts.
Crisp and direct, with fresh-cut Gala apple and lemon curd flavors backed by vibrant acidity. Shows dried sage accents in the midpalate, with minerally notes on the finish. Drink now.
- Wine Spectator, 91 pts.
