Ram's Gate Winery Wines

JUST TASTED: RAM'S GATE WINERY FROM SONOMA!

Last week, we had the opportunity to meet with Joe Nielson, GM and winemaker at Ram's Gate Winery, and he tasted us on some awesome wines. He has been their winemaker since 2018 and he is inspired by the older, classically styled California wines which drives him to recreate a sense of timelessness, balancing the right amount of tannin, richness, and body. Before Ram's Gate, Joe was the winemaker over at Donelan Family Wines for nine years prior. He has introduced a variety of new practices in the cellar including native fermentation, whole cluster fermentation, and new partnerships with small-production, family-owned coopers. I can only see promising wines for the many years to come.

The Lineup:

2019 Ram's Gate Sauvignon Blanc, Carneros10% New French Oak, 20% Stainless Steel, 70% Neutral Oak Barrels"Our Wow is the best way to describe the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc. The 2019 growing season for Sauvignon Blanc was exceptional. Late bud-break pushed the growing season well into September, avoiding the early season heat while also promoting intensely flavored fruit. Well-timed canopy management and early leafing in the fruit-zone continues to aid in sun-kissed, lush fruit while maintaining balanced acidity and modest alcohol. In 2019, the clone selection included clone 1 (64%) which dominates the nose with lychee nut, gooseberry, and honeydew. The Musque selection (36%) is more ethereal with more classic notes of lemongrass and grapefruit." ($37/BTL for 3 Bottles, $30/BTL for 6 Bottles, $27/BTL for 12 Bottles)2019 Ram's Gate Pinot Blanc, Carneros5 Months 85% Neutral Oak Barrels, 15% Stainless Steel"Pinot Blanc is comprised of three different blocks grown on our Estate Vineyard. Each block planted to a different clone. The fruit matured slowly on south-facing slopes, enjoying the cool foggy mornings and breezing summer afternoons. Beautiful notes of fresh pear, and nectarine with extended skin contact during pressing has intensified the floral components of this vintage with honey-suckle and apple blossom. Building on the success of fermenting the Pinot Blanc in barrel, 2019 was fermented 85% in barrel and 15% stainless steel. The increase in barrel fermentation promotes a velvety texture that complements the natural acidity on the palate while also supporting secondar aromatics of freshly baked bread and chamomile spice." ($44/BTL for 3 Bottles, $42/BTL for 6 Bottles, $39/BTL for a Case)2018 Ram's Gate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast10 Months 25% New French Oak, 25% Malolactic Fermentation"This Chardonnay is simply a delight on the nose and a great introduction to our Chardonnay program. The 2018 blend is a medley of Sonoma Coast vineyards from three southern Sonoma parcels and two Russian River blocks. The combination of both Clone 4 for its acid retention and the hens and chicks of the Wente selection make for a dynamic wine that plays out magically on the palate." ($42/BTL for 3 Bottles, $37/BTL for 6 Bottles, $34/BTL for a Case)2018 Ram's Gate Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard, Carneros11 Months, 33% New French Oak, 27% Malolactic Fermentation"A highlight of the 2018 vintage, the Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay is breath-taking. The only vineyard partner that we work with outside of Sonoma County, the Hyde family, has been working the Carneros soils starting in the late '70s. The 2018 Hyde Chardonnay is built around two selections, Robert Young (54%) and Musque (46%)." ($73/BTL for 3 Bottles, $70/BTL for 6 Bottles, $66/BTL for a Case)2018 Ram's Gate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast10 Months, 28% New French Oak"An exciting introduction to the 2018 Ram's Gate Pinot Noirs, the Sonoma Coast is the embodiment of cool-climate growing regions. Our journey along the western edge introduces new parcels into the blend from the Petaluma Wind Gap, southernly located, and a touch of Russian River Valley to provide depth and intensity." ($42/BTL for 3 Bottles, $37/BTL for 6 Bottles, $34/BTL for a Case)2018 Ram's Gate Pinot Noir Bush-Crispo Vineyard, Russian River Valley16 Months, 33% New French Oak, 15% Whole Cluster"The Bush-Crispo Vineyard is located on benchland in the Russian River Valley, the wine is produced from two different parcels planted in 1998 and 2008, marking 10 and 20-year-old vines collectively for the 2018 vintage. The older block of clone 115 was fermented fully destemmed in an oak foudre, whereas the younger block was fermented in both stainless steel and foudre and carried between 10-20% whole cluster. One of the Ram's Gate's larger single-vineyard bottlings, the wine is assembled much like a cuvee, having been deconstructed into four different lots at harvest. The younger Pommard vines are youthful and floral producing an aromatically compelling nose of rose petal, bing cherry, and blood orange."

($76/BTL for 3 Bottles, $72/BTL for 6 Bottles, $68/BTL for a Case)To place an order for these wines, email us at [email protected] or call us at (561) 935-1720.Cheers!