Alcohol percentage: 13.5% Area: The Russian River is a beautiful (your ideal vision of ‘natural’ California wine country) sub-region of Sonoma County. It’s cool enough to produce many of the state’s best Chardonnays and Pinots, but the style is richer and more classically Californian than wines from the now-trendy Sonoma Coast. This blend is 57% from four Dutton Ranches Vineyards (Perry, Mengle, Sebastopol & Mill Station); 28% Martinelli’s Laughlin Road Vineyard; 13% from the estate vineyard, Westside Farms; 2% from two Rochioli Vineyards. Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay, natural yeasts, 12 months in Burgundian oak (only 20% new). Producer: David Ramey is an urbane and sophisticated man. Previously winemaker at top names like Chalk Hill, Dominus and Matanzas Creek, he now has his own operation making top quality Chardonnay, Pinot and Cabernet. Maturity potential: A new world Chardonnay that gets better and better for 8-10 years from harvest. The Bottle Shop rating: This is as thoughtful and sophisticated as its creator. It really does compare with serious white Burgundy, if somewhat more hedonistic.
