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Vineyard: Ritchie
| Appellation | Russian River Valley |
| Varieties | Chardonnay |
Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard
Wineries sourcing from this vineyard
Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard
2010 DuMOL chloe Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.2% alc., 1.130 cases, $60. Released
November 2012. Sourced from Ritchie Vineyard, Wente selection. Yield 3 tons per acre from 38-
year-old vines. Complete malolactic fermentation and 15 months aging in 50% new French oak
barrels.
·
Light straw color and clear in the glass. Very expressive nose, offering aromas of lemon
blossom, tangerine, croissant and almonds. Soft in the mouth, with plenty of pear, white peach and
lemon flavor augmented by minerality. Faint toasty oak frames the wine which leaves a lingering
impression on the finish. Did I mention the marvelous mouth feel?
Reviewed February 27, 2013
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2009 Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
15.1% alc., $80.
·
Light straw color and slightly
cloudy (unfiltered) in the glass. Considerable oak and malolactic driven aromatics showing scents of butter on
toast, baked apple, baking spice, cookie dough, toast and graham. Big and bountiful on the palate with flavors
of very ripe white peaches, Asian pears, apple, roasted nuts and spice. Hard to resist if you like a decadent,
full-blown style of Chardonnay. A meal by itself. Very good.
Reviewed January 11, 2012
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2008 Bjørnstad Cellars Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., 129 cases, $40. Release 12/11.
·
Yellow-straw color with slight
haze (unfiltered) in the glass. Appealing aromas of apples, roasted
almonds, and subtle butter accent. Delicious core of crisp green
apples, marzipan and spice. Discreet but flavorful with bright acidity
that drives one to take another sip. A superb rendition from this iconic
Russian River Valley Chardonnay vineyard.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2007 Bjørnstad Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.7% alc., 200 cases, $40, released
May 1, 2010. This revered vineyard has been farmed by Kent Ritchie since 1972. The soils are in the
Goldridge Series and are well drained, sandy loams. The Bjornstad block is planted to an Old Wente field
selection that includes a very floral clone known as Musque. Bjornstad has worked with Kent and his fruit
since 1997.
·
Slight haze in the glass (unfiltered). Shy but pleasing aromas of lemon zest, toffee, vanilla and
crushed rock, with a whiff of alcohol peaking out. Rich and full-bodied flavors of golden apple and pears with a
bright accent of minerality. There is deft use of oak and a striking creaminess to the texture. The biggest
Chardonnay in the lineup and the most Caliesque. This wine will find many hedonistic-seeking fans.
Very good.
Reviewed May 24, 2010
WINERY »
ARTICLE »
2010 DuMOL chloe Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.2% alc., 1.130 cases, $60. Released November 2012. Sourced from Ritchie Vineyard, Wente selection. Yield 3 tons per acre from 38- year-old vines. Complete malolactic fermentation and 15 months aging in 50% new French oak barrels. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Very expressive nose, offering aromas of lemon blossom, tangerine, croissant and almonds. Soft in the mouth, with plenty of pear, white peach and lemon flavor augmented by minerality. Faint toasty oak frames the wine which leaves a lingering impression on the finish. Did I mention the marvelous mouth feel? Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2009 Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
15.1% alc., $80. · Light straw color and slightly cloudy (unfiltered) in the glass. Considerable oak and malolactic driven aromatics showing scents of butter on toast, baked apple, baking spice, cookie dough, toast and graham. Big and bountiful on the palate with flavors of very ripe white peaches, Asian pears, apple, roasted nuts and spice. Hard to resist if you like a decadent, full-blown style of Chardonnay. A meal by itself. Very good. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2008 Bjørnstad Cellars Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., 129 cases, $40. Release 12/11. · Yellow-straw color with slight haze (unfiltered) in the glass. Appealing aromas of apples, roasted almonds, and subtle butter accent. Delicious core of crisp green apples, marzipan and spice. Discreet but flavorful with bright acidity that drives one to take another sip. A superb rendition from this iconic Russian River Valley Chardonnay vineyard. Reviewed July 1, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »
2007 Bjørnstad Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
14.7% alc., 200 cases, $40, released May 1, 2010. This revered vineyard has been farmed by Kent Ritchie since 1972. The soils are in the Goldridge Series and are well drained, sandy loams. The Bjornstad block is planted to an Old Wente field selection that includes a very floral clone known as Musque. Bjornstad has worked with Kent and his fruit since 1997. · Slight haze in the glass (unfiltered). Shy but pleasing aromas of lemon zest, toffee, vanilla and crushed rock, with a whiff of alcohol peaking out. Rich and full-bodied flavors of golden apple and pears with a bright accent of minerality. There is deft use of oak and a striking creaminess to the texture. The biggest Chardonnay in the lineup and the most Caliesque. This wine will find many hedonistic-seeking fans. Very good. Reviewed May 24, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »
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