WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Minerality and density are indicative of this cool, high-elevation AVA. This viticultural neighborhood hugs the Pacific Ocean, creating wines of startling freshness and liveliness.
TASTING NOTES:
A vivid, fresh, almost chewy wine that's vibrant in crisp apple and tangy lime flavors on the signature creamy texture of Ramey. Flavors emerge on the palate, including minerals, chalk and touches of flint and lemon zest. The grapes come from the Charles Ranch from vines planted in 1982. Drinkable now, but best from 2029.
- James Suckling, 96 pts.
Sourced exclusively from the Martinelli Charles Ranch, located three miles inland from the Pacific at 340 metres elevation, surrounded by redwoods, bay laurels, and oaks. The vineyard was planted in 1982 by George Charles (Lee Martinelli Jr.’s maternal grandfather), and Ramey has worked with this fruit since 2008. "It’s a large, undulating site," says Claire Ramey. "We take fruit from many different aspects, but the blend has been largely from south-west-facing blocks, along with some less west-facing and a few east-facing sites, all sitting at roughly 305 metres and mostly above the fog." Lovely sea-spray aromatics fill this medium-bodied wine's nose and palate, boasting fantastic bracing acidity and an astounding baseline of intense, creamy fruit. Best enjoyed alongside grilled scallops or lobster mac and cheese—the wine’s taut acid backbone and creamy texture will elevate both the food and the wine.
- Decanter, 95 pts.
The 2023 Chardonnay Fort Ross-Seaview comes from Martinelli’s Charles Ranch Vineyard. Originally planted in 1981 to Clone 4 and Old Wente, it’s located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean at 1,115 feet in elevation, and vines are planted in Goldridge and Josephine soils. The grapes were harvested October 18-21, and the wine was barrel-fermented. It matured for 12 months in 10% new French oak barrels and was bottled in January of 2025. It’s surprisingly open on the nose, with aromas of red apple, apricot, panna cotta, graham cracker and citrus blossom perfume. The medium-bodied palate is silky and vibrant, with pure, concentrated, saline-laced flavors and a very long, taut finish.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 pts.
There's impressive precision and focus to the flavors in this white, with pure Meyer lemon, pomelo, yuzu and fresh ginger accents, plus a crunchy sea salt detail. Honeycrisp apple, lemon verbena and lemon blossom notes emerge on the finish, where the vibrant acidity gives this a firm backbone. Drink now through 2037
- Wine Specator, 94 pts.
