Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Drink it now or cellar for up to 20 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. Founded in 1996 by David Ramey and his wife Carla, Ramey Wine Cellars is still a family-run winery, today led by David's children, Claire and Alan. The company produces great wines from the best vineyards in Napa and Sonoma and is particularly famous for its Chardonnays. David Ramey, in fact, has been nicknamed 'Professor Chardonnay' for his pioneering work with this grape, and thanks to the use of indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation, and aging on the lees, he has created a unique style of California Chardonnay, expressive, rich and silky. The grapes come from the Ritchie Vineyard located in the Russian River Valley and considered to be a Burgundy Grand Cru equivalent. The vines were planted in ‘72 and are rooted in gravelly and sandy Goldridge Loam soil, on a volcanic rock substrate. The wine is barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts, and then aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak barrels. This beautiful Chardonnay reveals a fragrant character with intense fruity aromas of peach, pear, pineapple, and guava, and then lemon cream and butter followed by some mineral and spicy hints. On the palate, it is soft and creamy, concentrated and elegant. It has a good structure and an acid vein that gives liveliness. The finish is long and recalls mineral and spicy notes. Try it with lobster.

Price: £100.31 from 8wines UK