2006 Ramal Vineyard Chardonnay, Dijon Clones

90 points - The Wine News
89 points, Best Buy - Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine
89 points - California Grapevine
4 1/2 Stars - Restaurant Wine

Grape Source

At California's first premium winery, the focus of Buena Vista Carneros continues to turn to our remarkable 564-acre Ramal Vineyard Estate in the heart of Carneros. Set along a south-facing hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay, this breathtaking property has more than 107 blocks delineated by geology and topography. Produced in limited quantities, each Ramal Vineyard wine reflects the complex interplay between grape, terroir and the seasonal weather patterns of the vintage.

Vintage

Our estate is perfectly situated for the morning maritime influence of the San Pablo Bay and the late afternoon cooling winds channeling from the Petaluma wind gap. In 2006, budbreak began in early March and was followed by a cool wet spring. With water in the soil came vigorous vine growth early in the season requiring diligent canopy management. The summer saw one short hot spell, and generally warm days. Most of August and September were slightly cooler than normal, creating excellent ripening conditions and a slight delay in the start of our harvest of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand harvested at night off of our Ramal Vineyard Estate on September 28th, 2006 and whole cluster pressed.  The wine was 100% barrel fermented, aged sur lies with the lees stirred every two weeks for 6 months. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in Dargaud et Jaegle, Cadus and Francois Frères French oak barrels (38% new, balance of one-five year old) and remained in barrel for nine months.

Winemaker's Notes

Our Ramal Vineyard clonal wines give us the opportunity to showcase individual clones or blocks that perform exceptionally well in any given vintage. This wine exhibits classic Carneros Chardonnay aromas of mineral, citrus and lemon drop, clove, and peach. The 2006 Dijon Clones Chardonnay continues with rich flavors of oily bright citrus, focused pear and green apple, rich vanilla cream and a candied fruit finish. Try this wine with a rich Fettuccini Alfredo, or a poached salmon fillet with hollandaise sauce.

Past Vintages

2005 Ramal Vineyard Chardonnay, Dijon Clones
2004 EVS Chardonnay - Dijon Clones / Ramal Vineyard