Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Chardonnay

Really enjoyed this bottling over two days. Tropicals, green apple, medium plus acidity,very Chablis like.

Rounder and richer than I’ve come to expect from Ceritas. Still great just not as steely and chiseled as other bottlings

I wanted to open a Ceritas bottle during @Antonio Galloni ‘s interview with Ceritas winemaker John. I initially opened a 2015 Heintz Chardonnay, but it was corked. I moved to this bottle and it was intriguing to hear John say this is their earliest harvested vineyard, but their richest in profile wine. Crazy.

Upon opening, it had a very thin finish. I think there was a two part reason: it was too cold and it needed more air. This got substantially better once it warmed above cellar temp and was at its best with 3hrs of air. Very Chablis like with an oily texture and hardly any trace of oak. Hint of reduction. Very pure fruit...lemon oil, underripe melon, crushed seashell, and honeysuckle aromatics. Shockingly, the acidity here was fairly mellow. Not as razor sharp as I expected or have experienced with other Ceritas chards. Tart stone fruits, steely and grilled lemon rind round out the palate and finish. I’d hold this another few years to see how it blossoms.

Taut, saline, just ripe yellow fruit, wet rocks, struck stone, beaming acidity, love the finesse of texture here. There’s some serious tension, appears to be a more linear expression of PMR right now. I love it but it will be smashing when it begins to uncoil. Favorite vineyard in the Ceritas CH program for me and a highlight of 2016 harvest there.

Santa Cruz Fruit, drinking well, can hold for longer too.

Just checking it out. Young. Tight. Lemon rind.

Nice evolution. Excellent bottle.

Young.. lots of citrus, acid, slightly pithy texture. Lively wine.

Not my favorite vintage, but I love these wines

Chablisienne. Not at all like their Trout Gulch. Lemon oil, oyster shell and minerality.