The 2022 Chardonnay Rochioli Vineyard is stunning! Sourced from vines planted in 1989, 1995 and 1998, grapes were harvested on August 22, before the Labor Day heat wave. The wine was barrel-fermented, underwent full malolactic conversion and matured for 20 months in 20% new French oak barrels. It has an intense perfume of candied peach and nectarine, honeycomb, matchstick and soaring floral aromas. The palate is satiny and expansive with concentrated, mouth-coating flavors. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a tremendously long finish. (EB)

The 2022 Rochioli Vineyard Chardonnay is another sensational release from Ramey. It begins with a delightful nose of crisp apples, vibrant tropical fruits, and bright candied lemon, all intricately layered with notes of smooth vanilla bean, delicate chamomile, and a hint of minerality. The wine's well-balanced palate reveals a harmonious blend of fruit-forward flavors and subtle complexity, where the freshness of the apples and tropical notes are beautifully complemented by the creaminess from the vanilla and the floral touch of chamomile. A vein of minerality adds precision, grounding the wine with a clean, refreshing finish that lingers elegantly. This Chardonnay showcases the quality of this historic vineyard. (JD)

The Rochioli family has been growing grapes on their property since the late 1950s, with the vineyard now farmed by the third generation. The 2021 Ramey Rochioli blend is sourced from 82% Mid-40 Block and 18% River Block. This wine delivers a gorgeous intensity of fruit and pressed wildflowers. On the palate, ripe lemon peel fruit expands into the mid-palate, where density builds alongside remarkable tension, all balanced by an extraordinary silky richness. Pure and riveting, laced with subtle vanilla accents, fantastic ginger character, and poached pear. A Chardonnay of intense richness and impressive length. (The first vineyard-designate release from Ramey was the 2015 vintage, though Ramey has been sourcing these grapes since 2008.) (JC)