Our entry-level Cabernet blend, this vintage is composed of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec, and 7% Syrah. (You may know that before France started their AOC (appellation) system in the 1930’s it was common, during the 1800’s, to import Syrah from Hermitage to blend with the wines of Bordeaux. These hermitage’ wines often fetched higher prices in the English market than those which had not been “improved.”) This soft, easy-drinking wine is a good introduction to the vintage, and while it will improve over the course of two to five years, it is not a wine intended for long-term aging. The soft, plush nature of this Claret stems in part from the mild vintage, with no real hot spells. More than a third of it derives from the Jericho Canyon Vineyard, along with wines from the Somerston, Larkmead, and Snowden Vineyards, and 7% Merlot from the Hyde Vineyard.

Highlighted Reviews: 2005 Vintage

90-91  Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 07
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.

88  Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate December 2007, Issue 174
Fashioned from lots culled out from all of David Ramey’s Cabernet projects, the 2005 Claret is a stylish, delicious red that is meant to be consumed during its first 7-8 years of life. It offers up aromas of cherries, underbrush, black currants, and cedar. Evolved and medium-bodied with a silky finish, it will drink well for 5-7 years.

Highlighted Reviews: 2004 Vintage

89  Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 07
Deep ruby. Suave redcurrant and cherry aromas are open-knit and ripe. Supple and sweet, with pliant tannins supporting ripe cherry and dark berry flavors. Not at all heavy, this shows good freshness on the finish.

89  Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate 12-22-06
The 2004 Claret shows soft, seductive notes of black fruits intermixed with bay leaf, white chocolate, and sweet, subtle wood. It is soft, round, generous, and best drunk over the next 5-8 years, although I suspect it will keep longer.

Highlighted Reviews: 2003 Vintage

87     Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate 12-26-05
Ramey's Claret is essentially a blend of leftovers culled out from his two or three top cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a bistro-styled wine meant for easy and early drinking. The 2003 Claret offers aromas and flavors of smoke, herbs, cedar, red and black currants, and spice. Drink it over the next couple of years.

88   Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 2006
(A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 16% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot) Good red-ruby. Cherry syrup, menthol and cedar on the nose. Supple and chocolatey in the mouth, with light tarry and porty elements. Finishes with mouthdusting tannins.

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