Ritchie Creek

I had this at pop and actually expected this to be a bit heavier than it was. It was fairly light but still rich. Lemon wafer, white flower and chamomile. If this is served around cellar temp, it’s actually got strong acidity and shows a good bit of minerality/limestone. This is a chardonnay that could probably evolve a bit over the course of an evening.

9.3

Montagu

Durell Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

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

Shay and Daryl liked this

Ramey Wine Cellars

Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2011

Ken Venezio

9.1

Third wine of the night. 2011 of a three flight night. Much more acidic than the 2009 and the 2010, but a lovely Chardonnay. A little crisper and less oak. — 8 years ago

P and Ron liked this

Addax

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016

9.4

Today was my first time to host Wednesday Wine Committee. I’ve had the good fortune of attending on and off over the last two years and was delighted to finally host a lunch. As many of the wines I brought today I’ve posted on here before, I’m posting the white wine of the day and the red wine of the day. As always, the format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine was in play and everything was tasted blind.

As many of you know, I love Addax wines. Bevan does a wonderful job, as to be expected, and their SauvBlanc is my favorite domestic SB. Sadly, the ‘14 vintage was their last...and their one white is now a chardonnay. It is a Ritchie and Benovia vineyard combo and already tastes so incredibly well at this age. This is creamy like Bevan’s Ritchie chards with a hint of Ritchie nuttiness, but the Benovia vineyard brings about a mineral and sweet note. Great weight and finish. Few guesses of Aubert chard, Montagu Ritchie...good company to be in! — 8 years ago

Brandon, James and 27 others liked this

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

@Mark Flesher : This was fantastic. I’ve got a few more but will definitely be going back to the well to order more. You would enjoy this.

Mark Flesher

Sounds awesome. Might want to acquire one of these to have for the 40th birthday celebration next year.

Paul Hobbs

Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2007

James Pendergrass

9.2

This wine was great. Liked the first taste. Yes it had the oak and the butter, but it was balanced and it wasn't overdone. The wine evolved over the hour and the last sip was pure heaven. LOVED the last taste. — 9 years ago

Peter and Peter liked this

Walker Station Vineyards

Ritchie Vineyards Chardonnay 2009

Daniel Murphy

9.1

Just out of 6 year storage. Good cork. Nice color. Initial & mid are very smooth with soft fruit and tart finish. After shows Slight barn taste on palate. 5 more to try. Nice RRV Chardonnay. — 10 years ago

Sidebar Cellars

Ritchie Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Michael Chelus

8.9

Tart apple, grapefruit, lemon curd, slate and hints of stone fruit. Great acidity and balance. — 10 years ago

Red Car

Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

Paco Suro

9.1

Love this vineyard. Great representation. Took a Mag home. Yahoo! — 11 years ago

Erin liked this

Joseph Swan Vineyards

Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2013

9.2

A lovely Sav Blanc. Floral & crisp. A must try! — 11 years ago

Wind Gap Wines

Ritchie Creek Vineyard Spring Mountain Blaufränkisch 2012

Michael Kanbergs

Wine Director Campo Fina

9.1

Celebration cap for the 2012 Wind Gap Blaufränkisch. Dark juicy fruit, bay leaf, tree spice, enough acid for balance, soft enough to be enjoyed by everyone. Gleeful. — 13 years ago

Château Boswell

Absolutely Eloise Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015

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

Mark, Paul and 27 others liked this

Stephen Pierron

@Shay A I should be trying this very soon! Glad to know you enjoyed it!

Actually only only 25% Ritchie, its a blend of different Vineyards

@Stephen Pierron : Gorgeous Chardonnay!

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum : Correct. I know Dutton Ranch is one of the other vineyards. Ritchie, to me, is so unique and powerful that it’s characteristics show regardless of blend. So strong I would have guessed 100% Ritchie.

Ritchie Creek

Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 1979

Paul Woolls

9.4

Wow! 1979 elegance, balanced , charming fresh, lively fruit. Cedar aromas. Too fun! — 8 years ago

Conrad, Jay and 2 others liked this

Bure Family

Malena Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2012

Rob

9.1

Fish night and to be honest I grabbed this Bure because it’s one of the few odd shaped bottles messing up the spacing in my wine fridge😜Not used to complex chardonnays like this. A heavy 14.5% white. — 8 years ago

Bevan Cellars

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2015

9.4

So so at pop & pour, but after 30 min of air it thickened up, for 2015 I prefer this over the Ritchie vineyard, less oak on this one — 9 years ago

David, Velma and 17 others liked this

Martin G Rivard

Good point Paul! Super sold QPR

Norman

@David L I’m going to say yes but... I was disappointed last time I popped one but decided I was opening them to early and not decanting. I’m convinced the decant is a requirement.

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher @Martin G Rivard @Norman Gennaro I’ve still have a few 14’ in my cellar I’ll have to open one again soon.

Bevan Cellars

Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Mike R

9.3

Oh yeah - 2nd bottle selection tonight - first sip is singing to me - saying Lionel Ritchie "party, fiesta - all night long" - smiles keep coming — 9 years ago

Mike, Shawn and 31 others liked this

Their entire lineup is amazing . @Mike R

Ten Acre

Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

9.5

13' Ten Acre Ritchie Chardonnay. A touch of citrus notes on the front and middle of the palate. Round this out with some Peach, butternut, honeydew. The minerality & acidity are very nicely balanced throughout the bottle. Highly Recommended! Thank you for this amazing bottle my friend.@Shawn G. Rose . Cheers to you!! — 10 years ago

David, Shawn and 36 others liked this

@Shawn G. Rose @Martin G Rivard And the price! It's a Badass Cali Chard!

Carl Fischer

I've never heard of this producer. Will have to check them out David!

@Carl Fischer @Shawn G. Rose Shawn gave it to me. Classic Cali. I love this style.

Bevan Cellars

Ritchie Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Caleb Romo

9.3

Definitely a fan, delicious — 10 years ago

Woodenhead

Cinder Cone Ritchie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

Dirk Pitt.

9.3

Delicious. Wish more people knew about this one. Ok maybe not. — 11 years ago

with Winehouse

Ritchie Creek

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Pax Mahle

Owner/Winemaker Wind Gap Wines, Agharta & Pax

9.3

Oh yeah... Super nice Napa Cab... Buried treasure — 12 years ago

Anthony, Orion and 1 other liked this

Alex Lallos

It's only a 2007. Where was this buried? Fukushima?

Aubert

Lauren Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

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

Jason, Somm and 45 others liked this

Mark Flesher

Not a 95+ chard. Compared to other Aubert SVD chards, I just think the fruit here is a little more muted. Maybe this means that this chard needs to sit a few years more. Compared to the 2016 SC chard that was opened up, there was less fruit but more complexity. IMO, not a full point of difference. Mango and Asian pear dense. Herbal. Full bodied. A delight as all Aubert chards certainly are. This one will hang on nicely I think, and wondering if 2 or 3 years might do this one well.

9.3

Ryme Cellars

Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

Jarrett Johnson

9.1

Super complex. Medium body, delicious fluffy gardenia, citrus and some green flavors of underripe peach — 8 years ago

12 Rows

Croix Ritchie Vineyard White Blend

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 — 8 years ago

David, Ron and 21 others liked this

I should’ve purchased some when you let me know

I’m spoiled by Edge Hill, Ferren & Paul Hobbs for Chardonnay. Definitely opened too soon, but had to try one early per norm.