2008 Sonoma Coast

This vintage marks a turning point for our Sonoma Coast bottling, as it is the first vintage to be dominated by the Martinelli Charles Ranch on Bohan Dillon Road. Planted in 1980, this is one of the most spectacular vineyards in Sonoma County. This vintage also marks what could be the final inclusion of the Platt Vineyard, as in 2009 the vines have matured enough to merit their own vineyard-designated bottling. A small bit of the Sonoma Stage Vineyard rounds out the blend. 65% Martinelli Charles Ranch, 22% Platt, 13% Sonoma Stage

Highlighted Reviews: 2008 Vintage

91 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/June 10
Expressive nose offers musky apple, pear, orange zest and smoky minerals. Dense and textured but quite dry and mineral-dominated, with very good purity and mouth-staining citrus and herbal flavors. Strong but harmonious acidity gives the refreshingly bitter finish impressive focus and cut.

90 Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate, December 2010
Even better is the 2008 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast (90), which offers up notes of crushed rocks, waxy brioche, white peaches, white currants and buttered citrus. This fresh, medium-bodied wine possesses both flavor authority and finesse. It, too, can be drunk over the next 2-3 years.

88 (one puff) Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, October 2010
The most severe of the Ramey offerings in this issue, the Sonoma Coast bottling smells of limes and minerals with Gala apples and Meyer lemon sweet citrus held in the background. Expectedly firm and somewhat "straight-sided" in the mouth with lemony fruit stepping out in front of the appley and oaky notes, the wine is chalky in texture and brisk in aftertaste. It suggests a touch of a Chablisienne character in its mouthfeel but still carries California in its rock candy fruit.

91 California Grapevine, Vol. 36, No. 3, June-July 2010
Medium-light golden yellow color; attractive, intense, slightly buttery, green apple aroma with a trace of new oak in the background; medium-full to full body; assertive, fresh, lemony, green apple flavors with crisp acidity; well balanced and structured; lingering aftertaste. Similar in style to their Russian River bottling. Very highly recommended.

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