Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Fresh and focused aromas of pineapple, nectarine, sage and green herbs lift the nose of this charming Chardonnay from a legendary vineyard. The palate brings rich texture with beautifully balanced acidity and flavors of pithy Meyer lemon, Gala apple, cinnamon and orange blossom before long and meandering finish with echoes of flowers, minerals and spice.
Editors' Choice -
James Suckling
This full-bodied wine shows the almost sweet, confectionary quality of wines from this noted single vineyard. It is rich, ripe and appley in aromas, then layered in creamy lemon meringue and creme brulee flavors with a Key lime pie finish. So delicious, luxurious and gentle to sip.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2023 Domaine Della Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay—sourced from one of the Russian River Valley’s most celebrated sites—shows remarkable depth and balance. This finely crafted Chardonnay opens with aromas of peach skin, ripe Golden Delicious apple, and fragrant baking spice, all wrapped in a subtle layer of oak. On the palate, it is complete, textured, and beautifully integrated, expressing both power and elegance. Pairing: Roast a chicken, invite family and friends, and savor the moment. (Tasted: April 18, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
-
Jeb Dunnuck
A bright yellow color, the 2023 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is forward in the glass with aromas of gunflint and wet stone, pineapple, yellow flowers, ginger, and preserved lemon. The palate is full-bodied, with a bright spine of fresh acidity and a gently tapering finish. Drink this nicely detailed wine over the next several years.
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.