Martin Ray Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2009

  • 87 Wine
    Enthusiast
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Martin Ray Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2009 Front Label
Martin Ray Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2009 Front Label

Product Details


Varietal

Region

Producer

Vintage
2009

Size
750ML

ABV
14.5%

Features
Screw Cap

Your Rating

0.0 Not For Me NaN/NaN/N

Somm Note

Winemaker Notes

Martin Ray summarized our winemaking method when he said: "We add nothing to our wines, nor do we take anything from them. With infinite care, we leave them alone." Aging in French oak barrels "on the lees" develops rounder, creamier texture in the wine. Our 2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is aged for twelve months in barrel. A nice, jewel-like nose with inviting aromas of fresh juicy pear and spice notes. Fresh flavors of crisp apple, melon and creamy vanilla are framed by an oak backbone. Finishes long and full with hints of minerality and citrus.

A succulent dish of fresh lobster tails with a rich butter sauce, fettuccine alfredo or a butternut squash soup would be an excellent match for our Chardonnay.

Professional Ratings

  • 87
    Lots of bright, fresh fruit in this jammy wine. Bursts with pineapples, nectarines, sweet lemon chiffon pie, green-apple jelly, buttered toast and honey vanilla, wrapped into a creamy texture. Production was 3,100 cases.

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Martin Ray

Martin Ray

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Martin Ray, California
Martin Ray Martin Ray Winery Winery Video

The name Martin Ray resonates deeply in the history of California Winemaking. Martin Ray was a pioneer, dedicated to crafting single varietal, region specific wine from 1943 through 1972 in Saratoga, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mentored by Paul Masson, he took a Burgundian approach to his winemaking, and developed what is now one of the most historical properties in California, known as Mount Eden.Nearly twenty years later, Courtney Benham stumbled upon 1500 cases of Martin Ray wine in a San Jose warehouse. Recognizing his good fortune, and his intent and drive to produce terroir driven wines, Ray’s historical significance and philosophy resonated with him. Courtney purchased the brand, and since 1990 has been committed to the production of artisanal wines worthy of the Martin Ray name.In 2003, Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery made its home in the Russian River Valley, one of the oldest continually working wineries in California. Today, Courtney and his winemaking team devote themselves to Ray’s ideology of making “wines of place”. They are relentlessat telling the story of wine. The depth of the portfolio offers those seeking a unique experience the chance to explore some of the most revered regionsin California. Fromthe Russian River Valley to Napa Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains, there is an abundance of phenomenal growing regions, great farming, and meticulous detail to vintages.

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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.

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Russian River Valley Wine

Sonoma County, California

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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.

WWH121302_2009 Item# 106915

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