2018 Ramey Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard

Owned by the Martinelli family and planted in 2007 to Ramey’s specifications, this vineyard is located directly south of their winery on Woolsey Road. The vines are spaced three feet by seven feet on a northeast-facing slope. From the 100% Chardonnay, they gently press whole bunches for phenolic delicacy. Native yeast and full native malolactic fermentation take place in barrels, with sur lees bâtonnage. After 20 months of aging in 25% new François Frères and Taransaud Beaune French oak barrels, the Chardonnay is traditionally fined for clarity and texture and bottled without filtration. Woolsey Road benefits from two giants of the Chardonnay world, sourced from the Hyde family’s Old Wente cuttings and grown by the third and fourth generations of the Martinelli family.

The 2018 Chardonnay Woolsey Road Vineyard was aged for 20 months in 25% new French oak. It is a delicious, mineral-driven style, with aromas that move from iodine and dashi to spiced apples and quince. The palate is silky, feather-light and mineral, with a very long and elevated finish. (Only) 540 cases were made.