2015 Ancient Oak Cellars Reserve Series Kent Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

14.4% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.66, RS <0.1 g/L, 96 cases, $60. Greg La Follette made his first vineyard designated wines twenty years ago from the Kent Ritchie Vineyard. This wine contains grapes from a selection of specific rows. Barrel fermented with native yeast and aged sur lie for 20 months with battonage. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Complex nose offering a perfume of crystallized lemon, prickly pear, white flower bouquet, earthy flora and sea breeze. The onslaught of lemon goodness wakes up the palate on entry and expands through the mid palate. Very harmonious, with a pleasingly viscous texture, offering nuances of spice, nutmeg, vanilla wafer, and buttery caramel. A praiseworthy wine that finishes with uncommon richness for a Chardonnay and literally slides off the back of the palate as it exits. Score: 92. Reviewed February 13, 2017

Winery: Ancient Oak Cellars
From article: California Dreamin’: New Releases