Red Car Chard 2011

Tasting Notes: When considering new world Chardonnay sites few can rival the famed Ritchie Vineyard. Aubert, Dumol, Ramey and others have showcased the quality of this vineyard for decades, crafting some of the most sought-after white wines this side of the Cote D’Or. Well-farmed old vines (39 yrs) planted to true old Wente clone in Goldridge Loam soils is a hard combination to beat. What intrigued us about Ritchie was the opportunity to turn our predecessors’ riper style on its head, and harness the potential of the vineyard to create a California Chardonnay that could rival the best of the old world, one with balance, perfume, texture, minerality, and nuance. The 2011 vintage exceeds our expectations.