Seeing the standard 20 months in 20% new French oak, the 2017 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from one of the Grand Cru sites in the Russian River Valley. It has remarkable purity and elegance to go with ample richness (which is the hallmark of this site) as well as notes of ripe lemon and citrus fruits, lots of spice and crushed rock-like minerality, medium to full-bodied richness, and a great finish. It's up with the top Chardonnay in the vintage but needs 2-3 years of bottle age. It's going to be drinking brilliantly at age 15.

Vividly spicy, with concentrated baked pear, apple pastry and dried apricot flavors, backed by glistening acidity. Lemon meringue and quince paste notes fill the rich finish. Best from 2021 through 2025. 683 cases made.

The 2017 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard needs a bit of time in bottle to be at its most expressive. It shows fine depth, creaminess and energy, but the elements are not all put together just yet. Light apricot, butter and floral notes hint at what is to come.