Ramey Wines
A select group of winemakers can be credited with revolutionizing modern day winemaking in California. They are the innovators who, some 20 years ago, brought Old World traditions back to a New World that had thrown in its lot with university scientists to make squeaky clean wines largely devoid of character. The goal of these new wave winemakers was to put terroir back into the bottle and create wines of unique distinction.
David Ramey is widely acknowledged to be among the wine pioneers whose efforts helped raise the bar for all American winemakers and brought California to the forefront of the international wine world. David's groundbreaking work with indigenous yeasts and malolactic and barrel fermentation yielded a new California style that was richer, more lush and silky smooth than previously known. As a result, he created a benchmark style now emulated by many.
The Ramey winery produces authentic, hand-crafted wines made in an Old World tradition--coupled with New World innovation and California terroir. Owned exclusively by David and his wife Carla, grapes are sourced from vineyards with which David has worked for many years.
2006 Carneros District Chardonnay This year's blend comes 37% from the Sangiacomo Tallgrass vineyard; 27% from Sangiacomo Green Acres, a young Wente selection (both in Sonoma); 23% from Larry Hyde's own Bayview Vineyard (this is his personal vineyard and not the Hyde Vineyard, but also in Napa); and 13% from Wells Wagner's twenty-five-year-old Wente vineyard in Bennett Valley, north of Carneros. The heavier, clay-based soils of Carneros produce wines with a broad, full mouthfeel.
2006 Russian River Valley Chardonnay At 74%, this vintage derives primarily from five different Dutton ranches, together with 15% from Rochioli Vineyards, 6% from the Heintz Ranch near Occidental and 5% from Green Pastures Vineyard (a 38-year-old Wente vineyard back Felta Creek Road). Goldridge loam and gravelly soils give a crisper mouthfeel to Russian River Chardonnays compared with their Carneros counterparts.
2006 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay Our fourth release from this vineyard planted in 1999 by Richard Hyde and his son Rick, brother and nephew of Larry Hyde. Named Sonoma Stage, it is at the apex of Stage Gulch Road between Petaluma and Carneros—a quite cool and windy site. This year, however, we've included the first harvest off the Platt Vineyard as 23% of the blend. Planted to our specifications, with old Wente selected from Larry Hyde's vineyard, the Platt Vineyard sits 800 feet above the village of Bodega, with a south-facing exposition overlooking the Estero Americano.
2005 Ramey Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard A stunning effort, the 2005 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard boasts great intensity along with huge tropical fruit notes interwoven with notions of spring flowers, orange marmalade, white peaches, and steely minerals. Its abundant fruit conceals any evidence of wood. Well-delineated, with outstanding acidity as well as a layered, sumptuous finish, it should age nicely for 4-5 years, possibly longer. 95WA
2005 Ramey Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard Offering copious amounts of orange marmalade, smoky hazelnuts, and tropical fruits, the full-bodied, rich 2005 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard is on a faster evolutionary track than the Hyde Vineyard. Drink the Hudson cuvee over the next 2-3 years. 94WA
2005 Ramey Claret, Napa Valley Deep red. Elegant, sharply focused currant aromas show bright mineral lift. Sweet and juicy, with supple tannins and fresh red berry flavors given support by firm acidity. This has Old World spice and tannin structure, finishing on a bright red fruit note. 90-91 Tanzer
2005 Ramey Cabernet, Napa Valley Inky violet. Powerful tobacco-accented blackberry and cassis aromas, with a gentle mocha note and a hint of iron. The supple dark berry flavors are supported by low-key minerality and gentle tannins. Gains sweetness on the finish, which shows a distinct blueberry note. This is the first vintage for this bottling, which is made from all hillside vines, according to Ramey. 90-92 Tanzer
2005 Ramey Pedregal Proprietary Red Readers looking for a Screaming Eagle look-alike should check out David Ramey's 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal (85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot), a wine that has put on amazing richness and intensity since last year. Beautifully pure creme de cassis fruit interwoven with notions of spring flowers, espresso roast, and truffles jump from the glass of this wine. Wonderfully sweet, expansive fruit flavors, a massive, full-bodied palate, and superb elegance as well as purity suggest this stunner should drink well for 20-25+ years. 96WA
Wine will arrive Wednesday the 27th of August.
All orders will be confirmed
Sale good thru end of business Saturday.
Regular Sale
2006 Russian River Chardonnay $44.99 $37.99
2006 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay $43.99 $36.99
2006 Carneros Chardonnay $44.99 $37.99
2005 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay $69.99 $51.99
2005 Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay $69.99 $51.99
2005 Claret Napa Valley $42.99 $35.99
2005 Cabernet Napa Valley $54.99 $44.99
2005 Cabernet Pedregal $149.99 $124.99
Wide World of Wines 2201 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, DC 20007 202 333 7500
