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32 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016/2017 { winemakers } DAVID RAMEY IS ONE OF THE GIANTS of California winemaking. After distinguish- ing himself at U.C. Davis, where he earned a graduate degree, he went to work for the Moueix family at their famed Château Pétrus property in Bordeaux. Impressed by his skill, Christian Moueix charged him with over - seeing the construction and winemaking at the Moueix Napa Valley property, Dominus (see cover story, page 54). In addition to his tenure at Dominus, Ramey has guided the development and winemaking of a number of major wineries, including Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill and Rudd Oakville Estate. In 1996 Dave and his wife, Carla, founded Ramey Wine Cellar in Sonoma's Healdsburg. For his winery, he has developed relation - ships with some of the North Coast's most iconic viney ards. He makes a full range of wines, using his own carefully honed arti - sanal techniques. As you can see from my recent notes, he is a master, not just of one or two varieties, but of many. All prices are suggested retail. . Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast ($40) Ripe, fresh flavors on a silken texture; deep and juicy with pear and citrus fruit; solid, stylish and balanced. 91 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($40) An RRV classic with juicy fruit and bright acidity; balanced and long, tangy and delicious. 91 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard, Napa Valley ($65) Carneros fruit gives this one purity, silky texture and a core of bright acidity; a happy marriage of one of California's greatest winemakers with one of the state's most iconic vineyards; a stunning effort. 95 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, Platt Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($65) From Ramey's coolest site; silky and elegant with pure, lovely fruit and racy acidity; lush and yet delicate and precise. 94 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($65) From gnarled, low-yield vines (the old Wente selection) planted in 1972; great depth and a firm core of acidity; silky texture and bright fruit; elegant, precise and Burgundian. 96 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, Woolsey Road Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($65) This vineyard is owned by the Martinelli family and planted to Ramey's specifications; fresh, long and balanced with great elegance and finesse. 93 Ramey Wine Cellars 2014 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($50) Silky and ripe with deep black cherry; elegant and refined with savory notes and lovely balance. 92 Ramey Wine Cellars 2014 Pinot Noir, Platt Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($75) Bright berry color ; ripe and elegant with fresh, juicy cherry fruit and sleek texture; tangy and bright with fine acid structure; long and pure on the finish. 95 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Syrah, Sonoma Coast ($40) Deep blackberry fruit over a firm structure; dense and neatly balanced with spice and intensity; long and attractive. 90 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Syrah, Rodgers Creek Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($75) The vineyard is 800 feet up Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap; ripe blackberry and plum; soft and dense with spice and toasty oak; rich and generous. 92 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Syrah, Cole Creek Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($75) Co-fermented with a small percentage of Viognier; velvety and smooth with lush blackberry, cassis and plum; rich and deep with rich style and spice. 92 Ramey Wine Cellars 2014 Claret, Napa Valley ($40) Soft herbal nose; balanced, bright and generous; supple and stylish on the finish. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 3%,Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. 90 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($62) Bordeaux-style Cabernet from a near-perfect vintage; dense, rich and generous with seamless structure; long, velvety and classic. 92 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Pedregal Vineyard, Oakville–Napa Valley ($200) From a stony vineyard in mid–Napa Valley (Pedregal is Spanish for "rocky place"); haunting flavors of plum, blackberry and cassis; supple and complex with hints of vanilla oak and soft spice; elegant and seamless. 95 Ramey Wine Cellars 2013 Annum Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($100) A blend of the best vineyards each vintage; tangy acid structure; lovely finesse and style; supple, ripe and generous; deep and long. 94 Looks for Anthony Dias Blue's reviews of David Ramey's side project—Sidebar Cellars— on sommjournal.com. Liquid Mastery Winemaker David Ramey. RECENT RELEASES FROM WINE LEGEND DAVID RAMEY by Anthony Dias Blue PHOTO COURTESY OF RAMEY WINE CELLARS