Charles Ranch Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Cold, rainy year but producing a great Chardonnay. Flinty, Meyer lemons, pear. Great effort in a difficult year. Tiny production.

Can stand easily next to a good premier cru of meursault/puligny. Very balanced, peach, white flowers, flinty. Probably at its plateau but another 1 to 2 years in it.

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.

12.5 pct cali chard. Delicious, little or no oak, tangy, buttery, ripe pear with a long finish. Raen rocks.

My first ever Chardonnay from Raen. I have always been impressed by their Pinots but this is equally good maybe even better and can stand up to many of the great white burgundies. Stone fruit, flower blossoms, white peach and apricot with good minerality and good acid. The wine is round and lush, can age well I think. Outstanding unfortunately not a lot available.

Meursault-like,
Elegant

Really classic and restrained

This doesn’t deserve a rating, it’s that poor…

You have been warned.

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.

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.