Martin Ray Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2005

The 2005 Russian River Valley Chardonnay begins with rich aromas, highlighted by fresh peaches, apples and vanilla. The wine's superior structure and balance has a backbone of crisp apple, peach and creamy vanilla flavors that continue flawlessly on to a ripe and elegant finish. A succulent dish of fresh lobster tails with a rich butter sauce would be an excellent match for this Chardonnay.

Wine Tasting NotesOur Russian River Valley Chardonnay begins with rich aromas, highlighted by fresh peaches, apple and vanilla. The wines superior structure and balance has a backbone of crisp apple, peach and creamy vanilla flavors that continue flawlessly on to a ripe and elegant finish. A succulent dish of fresh lobster tails with a rich butter sauce would be an excellent match for our Chardonnay.

January 2009

"Great wine lights a fire in the soul."- Martin Ray

THE VINEYARDS
The grapes for our 2006 Martin Ray Chardonnay are a unique blend of vineyards carefully selected from the cool Russian River Valley. Rich fruit characteristics and lush tropical fruit flavors emerge from these select grapes, which are picked from some of the finest vineyards in the region. Grapes harvested from the rolling hills of the Russian River Valley offer a wide range of flavors and fruit characteristics due to the microclimates created in the valley landscape.

VINTAGE NOTES
The read more...2006 harvest was an excellent vintage for Russian River Valley. After a slow, wet spring, the vintage moved along quite smoothly. This longer than normal ripening period allowed the vines to produce mature, intense fruit without high sugars.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
Martin Ray summarized our winemaking method when he said: "We add nothing to our wines, nor do we take anything from them. With infinite care, we leave them alone." Ten months of aging in French oak barrels "on the lees" develops rounder, creamier texture in the wine. Our 2006 Russian River Valley Chardonnay begins with aromas highlighted by fresh melon, apple and vanilla. The wine's superior structure and balance have a backbone of crisp apple, melon and creamy vanilla flavors that continue flawlessly on to a ripe and elegant finish.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING
A succulent dish of fresh lobster tails with a rich butter sauce would be an excellent match for our Chardonnay.    (hide)

December 2008

Rating: 86/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines on Oct-06

Rating: 86/100 - As reviewed by Wine Enthusiast