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2017 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Vineyard Designation
Ritchie Vineyard
Harvest Date
Aug. 29th and Sept. 6th, 2017
Acid
7.51
pH
3.26
Aging
for 11 months in French oak barrels from Francois Freres cooperage
Fermentation
40% new French oak barrels used
Alcohol %
14.2
In Stock
116 CASES
$61.20 - MEMBER | $68.00 - RETAIL
Flavor profile: jasmine, honeysuckle, orange blossom, fresh white peach
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Vineyard Designation
Ritchie Vineyard
Harvest Date
Aug. 29th and Sept. 6th, 2017
Acid
7.51
pH
3.26
Aging
for 11 months in French oak barrels from Francois Freres cooperage
Fermentation
40% new French oak barrels used
Alcohol %
14.2
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
The 2017 Ritchie Chardonnay has a very expressive nose of jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossom. The palate is dominated by stone fruits like apricot and fresh peach and has a gorgeous minerality that carries the wine. This is stunning wine, from one of Sonoma County’s most coveted sites for Chardonnay, and will evolve in bottle for many years to come.
Vineyard Notes
The Ritchie Vineyard is one of the most famous Chardonnay sites in Sonoma County. The vineyard was planted in the early 1970’s to a Wente clone of Chardonnay on AXR-1 rootstock. It was later discovered that AXR-1 was not phylloxera resistant and owner Kent Ritchie was told he would need to replant the vineyard. Forty years later the vineyard still produces world class fruit!
The 2017 Vintage was heavily influenced by the heat spike in late August. Temperatures in Healdsburg hit 113 degrees and, in many vineyards, the vines shut down and never recovered. Chardonnay vineyards seemed to handle the heat event better than Pinot Noir sites and Ritchie Vineyard came through in good condition.
