'A little Chardonnay on the side'
Mixed case offer and on tasting this Thursday
David Ramey spent sixteen years making wine in California before founding Ramey Wine Cellars. He'd been involved with a variety of prestigious estates, but it was during his stint at Dominus when owner Christian Moueix allowed him to make 'a little Chardonnay on the side'. That was in 1996. By 2001 he had quit the day job and was dedicated full-time to Ramey Wine Cellars. Fast forward a bit more. David's pioneering contributions to the field have helped define the way top-flight Chardonnay is now made in America.
From his cellar in Healdsburg, Ramey sources fruit from some of the best vineyards up and down the Sonoma Coast, and Napa. Larry Hyde provided David with his first ever batch of fruit, and to this day David makes a Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay. Hyde sits on rocky clay soils and tends to make a powerful style of wine. Ritchie, by contrast, has sandier soils, and will make a more delicate, fragrant wine. Rochioli is fine and saline, Woolsey Road is peachier and honeyed.
David is known for using indigenous yeasts and whole cluster fermentation. He harvests early to retain acidity, and ages on the lees to add texture. His Chardonnays always tend to be bright, with high energy and intense aromatics. To help you get to grips with his range, we have put together a mixed case selection. And it's not just Chardonnay: more recently, David has turned his hand back to red wine. Sourced from some top plots in Napa, the Annum Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful, but with silky tannins, notable depth and impressive purity. Join us in the shop this Thursday between noon and 6pm to taste a selection of these exceptional wines. /DS
Offered subject to remaining unsold
