[Los] Carneros
Learn more about [Los] Carneros
Los Carneros AVA straddles the foot of Napa & Sonoma Counties. The larger portion of the AVA actually lies within Sonoma County; grapes from that part can also use the Sonoma Valley AVA designation. The smaller section, in Napa County, uses Napa Valley AVA on the label.
It is one of the coolest areas in California, its vineyards benefiting from a combination of mountain elevation (up to 300m) and the constant cooling effect of fog and breezes from the San Pablo/San Francisco Bay nearby.
Initially a hot-spot for fruit for sparkling wine production during the 1970/80s, pioneered by Gloria Ferrer, Domaine Carneros, and Codorníu Napa. It has since become a mecca for Chardonnay aficionados and more recently, of Pinot Noir.
David Ramey is famous for his Hudson & Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay.
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Despite his background making some of California’s great red wines, it is with Chardonnay that David has carved his own niche under the family name. Along with the likes of Steve Kistler at Kistler and Jim Clendenen at ABC, David’s ethos is to balance terroir driven Californian fruit with Burgundian tradition. In David’s own words, “It’s about harmony – the marriage of Old World methods with New World innovations”.
Ramey Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay is a big step up from the Russian River cuvee. From fruit from Carneros’ famed Hyde vineyard, this is brimming with citrus fruit, underpinned with a steely minerality. The vintage has held the slightly tropical notes in check but there is a richness that is the hallmark of this cuvee. Where the Woolsey Rd is Puligny, this is more Meursault like with a breath to the wine. Give it a year or two in the cellar and enjoy anytime over the following five years.