Lithology
Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.
I would say this is good to very good, but not necessarily dynamic. One thing I do appreciate is that while this shows oak, it’s not over done. 93 and 94 with a bit of bottle age.
The nose shows, lemon, lime white peach, just ripe pineapple, green apple, touch of kiwi, candle wax, cream, notes of caramel, limestone powder, sea spray, yellow lilies, spring flowers & jasmine.
The palate entry is ripe, juicy, softly round & elegant. Nice viscosity. Fruits are; lemon, lime white peach, just ripe pineapple, green apple, some very ripe peach although it’s understated, tropical melons and touch of kiwi. Candle wax, cream, stronger presence notes of caramel, honeycomb, hint of light butterscotch, butter cream, dry limestone powder that seems to show some chalking, very light grassy notes, white spice, sea spray, yellow lilies, spring flowers & jasmine. Excellent round acidity and an elegant, well balanced, well knitted, nicely tensioned and smartly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands squarely on earthiness & spice.
There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.
Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands.
I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.
I would say this is good to very good, but not necessarily dynamic. One thing I do appreciate is that while this shows oak, it’s not over done. 93 and 94 with a bit of bottle age.
The nose shows, lemon, lime white peach, just ripe pineapple, green apple, touch of kiwi, candle wax, cream, notes of caramel, limestone powder, sea spray, yellow lilies, spring flowers & jasmine.
The palate entry is ripe, juicy, softly round & elegant. Nice viscosity. Fruits are; lemon, lime white peach, just ripe pineapple, green apple, some very ripe peach although it’s understated, tropical melons and touch of kiwi. Candle wax, cream, stronger presence notes of caramel, honeycomb, hint of light butterscotch, butter cream, dry limestone powder that seems to show some chalking, very light grassy notes, white spice, sea spray, yellow lilies, spring flowers & jasmine. Excellent round acidity and an elegant, well balanced, well knitted, nicely tensioned and smartly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands squarely on earthiness & spice.
There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.
Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands.