Red Car Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2011

A small-production gem of a Chardonnay from the famed Ritchie Vineyard  - limited. When considering new world Chardonnay sites few can rival the famed Ritchie Vineyard. Aubert, Dumol, Ramey and others have showcased the quality of this vineyard for decades, crafting some of the most sought-after white wines this side of the Cote D’Or. Well-farmed old vines (39 yrs) planted to true old Wente clone in Goldridge Loam soils is a hard combination to beat. What intrigued Red Car about Ritchie was the opportunity to turn their predecessors’ riper style on its head, and harness the potential of the vineyard to create a California Chardonnay that could rival the best of the old world, one with balance, perfume, texture, minerality, and nuance. The 2011 vintage exceeds our expectations. 93 Points Robert Parker: "The 2011 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard shows the pedigree of this great site in its explosive, generous personality. Apricots, peaches, flowers and sweet spices all flesh out in this unbelievably beautiful, soft Chardonnay. The 2011 finishes with stunning balance and richness that brings the voice of these old Wente clones front and center. This is the most expressive of the three Chardonnays I tasted. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018."

Save