2021 Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay
Grape
Chardonnay
Its Origins
Ridge Vineyards makes wines that compete in terms of quality and desirability with Bordeaux First Growths and Grand Cru White Burgundies. Winemaker Paul Draper has crafted 43 vintages at Ridge and his practical, hands-off, “pre-industrial” approach to winemaking has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines. Although a vineyard was first planted near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1885, it lay abandoned until four Stanford Research Institute engineers bought it in 1959. Ridge Vineyards was formed in 1962 and Paul Draper was appointed as winemaker in 1969. After stunning the world by their triumph in the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting, Ridge Vineyards shot to fame and gained cult status almost overnight. Since then, Ridge has concentrated on producing fine Bordeaux blends and Chardonnays from Monte Bello's exalted terroir as well as renowned Zinfandels from the Lytton Springs and Geyserville vineyards in Sonoma County.
What The Critics Say
94/100 Wine Spectator
“Rich and toasty up front, with grilled orange, toasted cumin, nectarine and honeycomb notes, plus dried ginger and cardamom. Shows a touch of salted toffee to complement peach preserves, dried pineapple and Honeycrisp apple. Juicy finish. Drink now.”
94/100 OwenBargreen.com, Owen Bargreen
“Entirely sourced from the Monte Bello Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this was stored in 24% new French oak before bottling. The wine comes from vines that were first planted in the late 1940s that is set on fractured limestone. Toasted hazelnut salted peach, and suggestions of baking spice dusted brioche all hit the nose. The palate is very soft and seamless with ripe stone and tropical fruit flavors. Finishing very long with salty minerals and vanilla cream, this is a beautiful, generous wine to consume now and over the next ten years." Drink 2023 - 2033
93/100 and Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast
“This bottling is always one of the more unusual Chardonnays on the market, showing so much of a flinty tone on both the nose and palate. This vintage begins with struck stone, sour cream and sharp grapefruit aromas before the palate packs in seared lemon and more smoked rock flavors.”
| Variety | Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Region | California |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 13.70% |
| Maturity | 2023 - 2033 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
We deliver throughout New Zealand and to some locations overseas. Our deliveries are made by trusted third party carriers. For further details on prices and delivery options please go to DELIVERY INFORMATION section of our site.
If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.
