Bevan Cellars
Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Screaming oak. I love it. Mouth watering. Ritchie is one of my favorite Chardonnay vineyards. A heady style.
Screaming oak. I love it. Mouth watering. Ritchie is one of my favorite Chardonnay vineyards. A heady style.
Jan 26th, 2022
Slightly hazy (unfined?) gold. Abundant nose of honeyed tropical fruits, baked apple, and vanilla tinged orange crème. Full-bodied palate of cooked pineapple, baked apple, hint of orange, yellow lilies, and… how does one say “baseball bat” only subtly? Another quintessential Russell Bevan white that’s a monster in body, but velvet on the palate. A big wine that begs for big, complex dishes. My drinking partner (who suggested the wine was like an Adele song… you think it’s going to be a rustic stumble, but it clearly has much more going on) made an incredible pork loin, root vegetable, and apple entrée that was right where a dish should be to stand up to this wine. Similar dishes will work. Not your grandmother’s Chardonnay. Drink now through 2023.
Slightly hazy (unfined?) gold. Abundant nose of honeyed tropical fruits, baked apple, and vanilla tinged orange crème. Full-bodied palate of cooked pineapple, baked apple, hint of orange, yellow lilies, and… how does one say “baseball bat” only subtly? Another quintessential Russell Bevan white that’s a monster in body, but velvet on the palate. A big wine that begs for big, complex dishes. My drinking partner (who suggested the wine was like an Adele song… you think it’s going to be a rustic stumble, but it clearly has much more going on) made an incredible pork loin, root vegetable, and apple entrée that was right where a dish should be to stand up to this wine. Similar dishes will work. Not your grandmother’s Chardonnay. Drink now through 2023.
Nov 4th, 2021
2 YO Wente vines. 100% New French Oak.
2 YO Wente vines. 100% New French Oak.
Sep 19th, 2019
Victoria from Bevan Cellars came to town and put on a wonderful tasting of some current releases.
No surprise here, but this was rich and powerful. It was served a bit too cold, but I was able to set it aside and come back to it after it warmed up. Very different (in a good way). The fruits became more honeyed, and there was an added smoked butter note. I enjoy Ritchie vineyard Chardonnays, and with Bevan’s take, I always get a very pronounced nutty type note...this vintage isn’t as pronounced at this stage. Not a bad or a good thing...just a thing. This vintages seems a bit more focused compared to previous vintages.
Victoria from Bevan Cellars came to town and put on a wonderful tasting of some current releases.
No surprise here, but this was rich and powerful. It was served a bit too cold, but I was able to set it aside and come back to it after it warmed up. Very different (in a good way). The fruits became more honeyed, and there was an added smoked butter note. I enjoy Ritchie vineyard Chardonnays, and with Bevan’s take, I always get a very pronounced nutty type note...this vintage isn’t as pronounced at this stage. Not a bad or a good thing...just a thing. This vintages seems a bit more focused compared to previous vintages.
14’ Bevan Ritchie Chardonnay. Not a fan. All I taste is wood. The 13 was much better.
14’ Bevan Ritchie Chardonnay. Not a fan. All I taste is wood. The 13 was much better.
May 22nd, 2018Creamy oaky buttery Chard. They do this style perfectly
Creamy oaky buttery Chard. They do this style perfectly
Mar 17th, 201813' Bevan Ritchie Chardonnay. Had the 14' yesterday and wasn't impressed at this time. This is drinking wonderfully now. I would sit the 14 down for a bit. Edit- 30 minutes and this wine is even better.
13' Bevan Ritchie Chardonnay. Had the 14' yesterday and wasn't impressed at this time. This is drinking wonderfully now. I would sit the 14 down for a bit. Edit- 30 minutes and this wine is even better.
2 people found it helpfulMar 17th, 2017Today was my annual hosting of the Wednesday Wine Committee. There was 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert, all provided by me. Tasted blind, as always.
White number three. Copying notes from my recent note about 6 months ago. No surprise here, but this was rich and powerful. After it warmed up, the fruits became more honeyed, and there was an added smoked butter note. I enjoy Ritchie vineyard Chardonnays, and with Bevan’s take, I always get a very pronounced nutty type note...this vintage isn’t as pronounced at this stage. Not a bad or a good thing...just a thing. This vintages seems a bit more focused compared to previous vintages. In my opinion, the best vintage of Bevan’s Ritchie chard I’ve had.
Today was my annual hosting of the Wednesday Wine Committee. There was 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert, all provided by me. Tasted blind, as always.
White number three. Copying notes from my recent note about 6 months ago. No surprise here, but this was rich and powerful. After it warmed up, the fruits became more honeyed, and there was an added smoked butter note. I enjoy Ritchie vineyard Chardonnays, and with Bevan’s take, I always get a very pronounced nutty type note...this vintage isn’t as pronounced at this stage. Not a bad or a good thing...just a thing. This vintages seems a bit more focused compared to previous vintages. In my opinion, the best vintage of Bevan’s Ritchie chard I’ve had.
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1 person found it helpfulDec 25th, 2018
Dissatisfaction with this 15, not on par with previous 3 vintages
Dissatisfaction with this 15, not on par with previous 3 vintages
1 person found it helpfulApr 2nd, 2017