- 2019 Ramey Chardonnay Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (3/2/2024)
When you have a dear friend who loves Chardonnay it's always an easy choice to break out a bottle of Ramey. As expected, this was excellent, and typically Ramey with that hit of baking spices up front, crisp tree fruit (apple, maybe veering into peach) flavors, fresh acidity, and a very clear, crisp finish. Delicious to drink now, and probably for ten more years. Bottled under DIAM cork.
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They are so consistent.
I went to see him in December and he said that in “the peak Parker years” in the early 2000s, he was picking at 26 Brix, but now they’re harvesting at 24.5. He said the goal now for the chardonnays is 13.9% ABV, which is pretty modest by Californian standards. He always seems to find a great balance between good body and acid. [See Dave’s corrections to these numbers two posts down in this thread. - John]
FYI, they’re doing more direct sales now so it’s getting very hard to find the Hyde chardonnay at retail.
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It’s even hard to get Hyde DTC. It sells out really quickly. I have shifted to buying their Rochioli more often than not.
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We picked around 24 Brix, John, when we started in the ‘90’s. Now we pick around 22.5; your memory of target alcohol is good, high 13’s.
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Thanks, David!
I’m sorry. I actually took notes when we chatted, but I somehow wrote the numbers down wrong. I should have realized that the Brix and alcohol numbers didn’t line up. My apologies!