TN: 2016 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard (USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros)

WINE TALK
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  • 2016 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (9/5/2020)
    I would have expected more richness and breadth, but this is a laser beam. Citrus, spice, herbal tea, finishing creaminess just enough to broaden the impact, it’s a stunning wine. Not much else to say except wow.

Posted from CellarTracker

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I love this stuff. Thanks David for the nice note.

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Thanks Don.

I remain shocked at how little notice these wines get. David Ramey’s stable of Chardonnays (Fort Ross-Seaview, Russian River, Hyde, Rochioli, Westside Farms, etc.) are all world class examples. Not to mention his skill with Cabernet.

Go figure.

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His Platt was always a favorite of mine. The appellation wines are great too, SC and RRV.

Truly one of the best winemakers in the US.

5

I also really like the Woolsey Road.

6

The Sonoma Coast is now Fort Ross Seaview.

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Yes, since they stopped putting Platt in with the Martinelli vineyard and could call it FR-SV. Lost a little in the depth department, but added a more focused linear spine.

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And so the only one with no love is Ritchie.

I am just not a fan of that site, from anyone.

9

I don’t mind Ramey Ritchie, but it’s way down my list from Ramey. Produces wines that are richer than I like nowadays, that seem to be missing a dimension.

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That is exactly how I feel about every Ritchie Chard that I try from anyone.

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+1

They don’t get talked up here on WB, but judging by the prices he gets for his wines, there plainly is a great deal of love out there for them.

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There is that. Cheaper than Rhys Chards…and…better. (Keep That last bit quiet)

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The Chards he made at Chalk Hill in the early 90s actually are some of the wines that GOT me into wine.

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Nice note David. I haven’t heard a ton about Ramey but what little I do come across is always that it’s quietly exceptional. I just had the 2016 Fort Ross-Seaview, my first from them.

  • 2016 Ramey Chardonnay Fort Ross - Seaview - USA, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross - Seaview (8/9/2020)
    Aromas of lemon curd, some salinity, crackling hints of butter: toasty bread perhaps but that might be a reach.

Palate leads off with lemon curd and is carried by a well articulated herbacious core. Nicely patched in bits of malo, some oak. The oak and butter aren’t heavy or overdone but are nicely balanced and there’s a simultaneity with every quality getting along nicely. (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Interesting note Charlie. I have to say that while I have picked up no shortage of oak spice in Ramey, butter has never stood out for me, despite his 100% malo winemaking.

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Funny, I came here to say the Ramey Hyde was one of my epiphany wines, about 20 years ago.

I know David Ramey is a proponent of natural cork being the primary cause of premox. Anyone know if he switched over to a different closure in recent years?

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He uses DIAM.

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Ordered some 2017 Hyde Chardonnay from Ramey a few weeks ago. Looking forward to trying it. Master of Chardonnay + California Grand Cru site always makes for delicious wine. Love Ramey Chards!!!

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My 2017 is coming this fall. If it’s as good as the 2016 I will be trying to get lots more!