Raen Winery
Charles Ranch Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
I’ve enjoyed the Raen Pinots I’ve had, but this is my first experience with their Chardonnay. I’d normally not even look at a 2020 wine knowing how young they are, but I wanted to get a feel for the profile before deciding to buy more or not.
This wine really surprised me (in a good way) with how unbelievably clean and fresh it was. 12.5ABV. Faint yellow in the glass. Aromas of honeysuckle, sea salt, oyster shell, grilled lemon and a kiss of reduction/flint. Very cool-climate slate/mineral vibes on the palate with a rounded core of lemon and underripe pear. It’s proximity to the coast is noticeable. Extremely elegant and weightless while sporting balanced acidity. Wonderful depth. Total food wine and one I’d have called burgundy if trying blind.
I’ve enjoyed the Raen Pinots I’ve had, but this is my first experience with their Chardonnay. I’d normally not even look at a 2020 wine knowing how young they are, but I wanted to get a feel for the profile before deciding to buy more or not.
This wine really surprised me (in a good way) with how unbelievably clean and fresh it was. 12.5ABV. Faint yellow in the glass. Aromas of honeysuckle, sea salt, oyster shell, grilled lemon and a kiss of reduction/flint. Very cool-climate slate/mineral vibes on the palate with a rounded core of lemon and underripe pear. It’s proximity to the coast is noticeable. Extremely elegant and weightless while sporting balanced acidity. Wonderful depth. Total food wine and one I’d have called burgundy if trying blind.
Really classic and restrained
Really classic and restrained
1 person found it helpfulMar 19th, 2018
Okay... back to back vintages. The ‘18 is IMO a bit more lean, mean, and focused. Ripe pear and Granny Smith apples with a hint of toast. Plenty of intensity, perhaps not as round as the ‘17. Similar in style, I think ‘18 is the better vintage though both are impressive. Balanced..displaying touch of minerality, the wine at this stage in its development needs food. Long, lingering finish.
Okay... back to back vintages. The ‘18 is IMO a bit more lean, mean, and focused. Ripe pear and Granny Smith apples with a hint of toast. Plenty of intensity, perhaps not as round as the ‘17. Similar in style, I think ‘18 is the better vintage though both are impressive. Balanced..displaying touch of minerality, the wine at this stage in its development needs food. Long, lingering finish.
May 25th, 2020Crisp, no noticeable oak....elegant, balanced, tart apple and ripening pear. I really like the white wine program here. Can’t wait to try the 2018’s. Long lingering finish and clean, crisp Sonoma chard.
Crisp, no noticeable oak....elegant, balanced, tart apple and ripening pear. I really like the white wine program here. Can’t wait to try the 2018’s. Long lingering finish and clean, crisp Sonoma chard.
May 23rd, 2020Gingerbread, yellow apple, candied lemon peel on the nose, palate is slightly under developed, green finish
Gingerbread, yellow apple, candied lemon peel on the nose, palate is slightly under developed, green finish
Feb 20th, 2019Wow! Everything I look forward to in Chardonnay and more. 12.5 ABV; with no discernible oak. Crisp, clean lemon curd intensity pours out if the glass. Long, caressing complex finish. Already getting better as it warms. Maybe 9.4 or 9.4 +.
Wow! Everything I look forward to in Chardonnay and more. 12.5 ABV; with no discernible oak. Crisp, clean lemon curd intensity pours out if the glass. Long, caressing complex finish. Already getting better as it warms. Maybe 9.4 or 9.4 +.
Dec 24th, 2018
Release of the 2017. Notes of stone fruit, lime blossom, white flowers, wet gravel and rock minerality are delicately laced throughout this wine.
Release of the 2017. Notes of stone fruit, lime blossom, white flowers, wet gravel and rock minerality are delicately laced throughout this wine.
Sep 2nd, 2018
2016 vintage. Bottle number 2073. Super tasty! Great acid. Silky texture. Lemon curd, slate minerality, light toast.
2016 vintage. Bottle number 2073. Super tasty! Great acid. Silky texture. Lemon curd, slate minerality, light toast.
Feb 26th, 2018
Was a bit one note. But incredibly young, didn’t do it any favors pulling the cork now
Was a bit one note. But incredibly young, didn’t do it any favors pulling the cork now
Dec 3rd, 2017