2010 Red Car Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Hazy yellow. Lively, mineral-accented scents of green apple, quince, melon and honeysuckle, with a spicy accent building with air. Dense and pungent but lithe, offering pure orchard and citrus fruit flavors and a subtle note of iodine. Closes with impressive energy and focus, leaving spice and mineral notes behind.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
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The 2010 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard shows off terrific energy and vibrancy. Lemon, white flowers, mint and minerals are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in this energetic, focused Chardonnay. This parcel is planted with an older Wente clone and was picked at 21 Brix. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. Carroll Kemp left a career in the film industry to focus on his passion for making wine. Kemp focuses mostly on cooler-climate sites and tends to pick on the early side. The wines are made with native yeasts in a style that emphasizes juiciness and approachability, but also structure. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to taste the 2010 vineyard-designate Pinots, as they were bottled just prior to my visit. Tel. (707) 829-8500