2021 Ramey Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay

Aromas of Meyer lemon, yellow apple, and white peach integrate with notes of toasted hazelnut, wet stone, and a hint of orange blossom. The palate is medium-bodied and exceptionally vibrant, featuring a concentrated core of orchard fruit and a sleek, satiny texture. It displays a racy acidity and a fine-grained structural weight that leads to a long, crystalline finish marked by citrus zest and a distinct saline mineral lift.

Winemaker David Ramey utilizes 100% Chardonnay fruit harvested from a specific block of the legendary Rochioli estate. In the cellar, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed and fermented with native yeasts in French oak barrels. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and ages on its primary lees for twenty months with no stirring. This patient process, utilizing 25% new French oak, allows the wine to develop a complex, creamy depth while maintaining the piercing clarity and tension provided by the vineyard's natural acidity.

The fruit is grown in the Middle Reach neighborhood of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. The site is defined by its well-drained alluvial soils and its proximity to the Russian River, which creates a unique microclimate of morning fog and warm afternoon sun. These specific conditions favor a long, slow ripening period that preserves aromatic freshness. This historic terroir is prized for producing a wine with a rare combination of California richness and a focused, linear structure that mirrors the great white burgundies of the Old World.