Winemaker Notes
This 2016 Single Vineyard Chardonnay exhibits aromas of rich lemon, pineapple, white peach and brioche. This captivating, vibrant and graceful 2016 Russian River Chardonnay is rich and expressive, with intense concentrated lush lemon lime, pineapple and tropical fruit on the palate. Full-bodied, elegant and refined. Fresh, crisp and well-defined with a velvety and fabulous burst of fruit on the long finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
From one of the Grand Cru sites in the Russian River, the 2016 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard spent 15 months in 30% new French oak. Its vibrant gold color is followed by a ripe, sexy bouquet of white currants, caramelized pineapple, white flowers, and brioche. Bright and juicy on the palate, it has plenty of acidity, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It shows the rich, pure, classic style of this vintage beautifully.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The nose of the 2016 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is a little closed, offering glimpses of Golden Delicious apples, white peaches and poached pears with suggestions of chalk dust and lemongrass. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with apple and mineral notions, supported by refreshing acid and finishing with lingering toast notes.
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.
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.