- 100% Chardonnay
- Third vintage to come exclusively from Martinelli’s Charles Ranch in Fort Foss-Seaview AVA
- Planted in Goldridge sandstone and Josephine shale soils in 1982 by George Hastings Charles (Lee Martinelli Jr’s maternal grandfather)
- Pressed whole cluster for delicacy
- Native-yeast and full native malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel with sur lies batonnage
- Aged for 12 months in 10% new French oak barrels
- Traditionally fined for clarity and texture
- Bottled unfiltered
- 14% abv
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2024
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
West Sonoma Coast
Variety:
Chardonnay
Color:
White
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | US-RAM-11-24 | 12/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Wine Spectator
Score
94
Date
2026-04-08
"Appealing for its focus and precision, with crunchy star fruit, lemon sorbet and Cosmic Crisp apple flavors. Freshly grated ginger, celery salt and oregano notes are fragrant and add an appealing savory detail on a firm, juicy and energetic frame, with plenty of torque on the long finish. Drink now through 2039.-M.W."
Vinous
Score
91
Date
2026-01-27
"The 2024 Chardonnay (Fort Ross-Seaview) is sourced from three different sections in the Martinelli family's Charles Ranch vineyard. Bright and crisp, the 2024 sizzles with tension. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint, chalk and dried herbs are all finely sculpted in the glass. This is such a vivid and intriguing Chardonnay. In this tasting, the 2024 is just a touch lean, perhaps a reflection of the challenge in ripening a larger crop in a very cold site."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2023
James Suckling
Score
96
Date
2025-05-01
"A vivid, fresh, almost chewy wine that's vibrant in crisp apple and tangy lime flavors on the signature creamy texture of Ramey. Flavors emerge on the palate, including minerals, chalk and touches of flint and lemon zest. The grapes come from the Charles Ranch from vines planted in 1982. Drinkable now, but best from 2029."
2023
Wine Advocate
Score
94+
Date
2025-08-07
"The 2023 Chardonnay Fort Ross-Seaview comes from Martinelli™s Charles Ranch Vineyard. Originally planted in 1981 to Clone 4 and Old Wente, it™s located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean at 1,115 feet in elevation, and vines are planted in Goldridge and Josephine soils. The grapes were harvested October 18-21, and the wine was barrel-fermented. It matured for 12 months in 10% new French oak barrels and was bottled in January of 2025. It™s surprisingly open on the nose, with aromas of red apple, apricot, panna cotta, graham cracker and citrus blossom perfume. The medium-bodied palate is silky and vibrant, with pure, concentrated, saline-laced flavors and a very long, taut finish."
2023
Wine Spectator
Score
94
Date
2025-04-16
"There's impressive precision and focus to the flavors in this white, with pure Meyer lemon, pomelo, yuzu and fresh ginger accents, plus a crunchy sea salt detail. Honeycrisp apple, lemon verbena and lemon blossom notes emerge on the finish, where the vibrant acidity gives this a firm backbone. Drink now through 2037. 3,429 cases made."