Shay A

9.3

WNH virtual tasting with Gary Farrell wines. 2015 Ritchie chard, 2014 Fort Ross Pinot and 2015 Rochioli Pinot were the library choices.

I’m between a 93 and 94 here. This caught me totally by surprise. Flexing an ABV of 13.7, it has so much balanced richness and never comes across as lean. In fact, with the whole cluster usage here, it’s not green/stemmy. Gorgeous translucent purple in the glass with big aromatics of juniper, sage, high toned red and black berries, and cedar. Nimble on the palate with some herbal notes, and a really pretty red/black fruit sweetness (like really ripe rhubarb mixed with blackberries). Has both nice acidity and some tannic bite. I’d argue this was possibly even better in day two. Beautiful wine. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

It was my first time trying Moone-Tsai wines aside from their widely distributed Napa Valley Cab, so some of these were totally brand new to me. Melka is the winemaker.

Anytime I see Ritchie vineyard, I perk up. I really enjoy the fruit coming from that vineyard and this was no different. Bright and gold in the glass showing aromatics of banana bread pudding, powdered lemon bar, and honeyed tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity at this age with some classical Ritchie nuttiness alongside lemon cream and honeysuckle. Really good. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine.

This was en mag. WOW. Slightly cloudy in the glass. My first guess when looking at it was Marcassin, but it wasn’t waxy enough on the palate. Smelled of rich lemon cream, powdered lemon bars and juicy fruit (that should always be my key to guessing PM). A powerhouse on the palate with juicy tropical fruits, marshmallow, and sweet marzipan. Gorgeous stuff. I called this 2012 Aubert Ritchie. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

Joshua Fisher

9.4

new by the glass at the restaurant — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Heck of a 3rd Friday to kick off the holidays!

Epitomizes Ritchie. I think this is actually better than Bevan’s. It’s not as butterscotch and powerful...shows some elegance. Nutty as always. Roasted walnut, honeyed hazelnut, burnt marzipan and rich salted popcorn finish. This is drinking wonderful right now. No need to hold! Awesome bottle @David Schoonover — 7 years ago

with David, Weston and 2 others

Paul Woolls

9.4

Wow! 1979 elegance, balanced , charming fresh, lively fruit. Cedar aromas. Too fun! — 7 years ago

web bond

9.1

Great example of non-contemporary, Sonoma County Chardonnay. — 4 years ago

Austin Blackwell

9.1

Nice green apple and floral aromas and a green apple and ginger palate. Vibrant acidity and a nice ginger nuance to the palate. — 5 years ago

with Angelina

Dan H

9.2

Big Cali without being silly — 5 years ago

David L

9.2

This Chardonnay should come with a warning label... “ look but don’t touch for for a year or more “ roasted almonds with a glazing of honey. Mid & back palate of moderate acidity. This would be sensational with a grilled salmon.  — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

One of the best Aubert pinots I’ve had. Everything working in seamless harmony. Gorgeous candied cranberries, fresh black cherries, herbal twang and freshly chopped cedar. Wonderful acidity with red plum, earth, kiss of maple, and baking spices. Very nice. Thanks @Dan Fitzgerald . — 6 years ago

with Dan, Mark and 1 other

Mark Flesher

9.2

About what I rated the 09 in 2012 and the 14 in 2017. And I think I had a 12 not too long ago. These chards are good but this one particularly didn't hold a candle to a 14 Aubert Ritchie Chard. Hopefully not bottle variation on a 2015... Seemed to just not have a whole lot there. And I don't think it's because it is too astringent...the Judge wines seem to definitely rock it though. I got ahold of this one probably an hour after it had been open. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Shay and 1 other

Colby Siratt

9.6

Side by side with Montagu Ritchie Vineyard. Both exceptional- rich, buttery but balanced, beautiful gold in color. Durell more mineral, Ritchie a little creamier. Kept changing my mind which was my favorite. — 7 years ago

with Donnie

Paul T HB

9.3

, New 12 Rows from Ritchie Vineyard, not overly oaked like Bevans Ritchie. Another off the truck opening. I’ll try the edge hill decant on the next bottle.
Nothing special or unique about it. Just a Chardonnay — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Ritchie is one of the more pleasurable Napa/Sonoma Chardonnay’s I’ve had. The fruit is very good and made by Winemaker-Jean Hoefliger...who has a French background & goes easy on the new oak.

The body is thick and round with nice viscosity. Green apple, lemon, lime candy, overripe pineapple, just a touch of buttered popcorn, caramel, soft wood notes and backbone, butterscotch, delicate chalkiness, limestone & volcanics with yellow lilies, spring flowers and mixed greens. Full round acidity. Beautifully polished, elegant & s well balanced finish that persists nicely.

Photos of; the entrance to AXR’s main tasting room at the rear of the property, their guest house that in the days of prohibition was a Brothel, a sitting area under the Redwoods that overlooks their Estate vines & the AXR house that fronts the property. — 5 years ago

David L

9.6

17’ Château Boswell True Course Chardonnay. Sourced from the 1/3 of each Rued, Ritchie, & Sebastopol Vineyards in Sonoma County.
Melka with a home run Chardonnay!
Wow... this Chardonnay is playing in the deep end. Full- body to say the least. Pear, peach, honeycomb. Perfect amount of acidity/minerality from the center of the palate to the back. Top 10 bottles of California Chardonnay I’ve had this year.
Edit - Throw this into a decanter for a short period of time. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Attended a Parallel Wines private tasting last night. Very nice and classic in style. Didn’t realize how small their production is...less than 600 total cases. This is their 20th year and Melka has been with them from the beginning.

Starting to channel some butterscotch and creme brûlée notes. It’s rich without being overly oaked. Honey roasted almonds and even some marzipan. This is 100% Ritchie vineyard and while it doesn’t have classic Ritchie nuttiness, there is a hint of roasted marshmallows that I find common in other Ritchie Chards. — 6 years ago

Patrick Lunn

9.3

5 years old and this is pretty fresh and bright. Ripe peaches and marshmallow. Pairs well with Cowgirl Red Hawk, the stinky cheese seems to bring out some light sweetness. Great stuff. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Aubert’s Lauren Chardonnay is my favorite out of the entire lineup. I’ve had many different vintages as far back as ‘09 and all have been incredible. Tonight, this showed more savory/herbal notes and less fruit than I expected. Blind, I would have called this Aubert’s Ritchie due to the waxy, nutty characteristics I associate with that vineyard. Lots of cashew, almond and butterscotch. The fruit was very deep, almost reductive? Grilled pear and grilled over-ripened lemon. Creamy texture with a very complex structure. Always kind of you to share these wines, @Dan Fitzgerald — 7 years ago

with Dan and Mark

Jarrett Johnson

9.1

Super complex. Medium body, delicious fluffy gardenia, citrus and some green flavors of underripe peach — 7 years ago