- 2020 Ramey Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (6/26/2026)
Ritchie Vineyard is a tough one for me, but I wanted to see what would happen with Ramey. It’s still too much for my taste, though on the second night it was leaner and for me more enjoyable. First impressions were that it was recognizable as Ramey but richer/ thicker than the Hyde or Rochioli single vineyard wines. A good wine yes, but not my thing. - 2016 Failla Syrah Estate Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross - Seaview (6/25/2026)
This was really good young. It’s better with several more years of age. There’s now a meaty/savory streak to complement the deep fruit. It’s structured, but not painful. Feels like drink now to five years from now. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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In the last two years, I’ve had two bottles of the 2013 Ritchie, when Dave was making the wines in a somewhat bigger style than they do now (this was 14.5%) and both showed well:
November 2024, alongside a 2020 Hyde and a 2019 Russian River bottling: “Standout among the whites. Fresh but with complexity from age.”
New Year’s Eve 2025-26: “Quite oaky, but developed more minerality and complexity with air.”
In both cases, the wine benefited from decanting and/or time in the glass. The second bottle was a bit one-dimensional at first but became very interesting with some air.
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