Ramey Napa Valley Claret

Ramey Napa Valley Claret is a Bordeaux-style red blend from Ramey Wine Cellars bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This multi-varietal cuvée earned 94+ points from Robert Parker and 94 points from Jeb Dunnuck, placing it among the most critically acclaimed wines at its tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: North Coast AVA, California  |  Bordeaux-Style Blend  |  Winery: Ramey Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

Ramey Wine Cellars was founded by David Ramey, a veteran California winemaker who built his reputation working at prestigious estates including Dominus, Chalk Hill, and Rudd before establishing his own label in Healdsburg, Sonoma County. The Claret is built around a core of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by 10% Syrah, 9% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc — a six-grape blend that draws on both Bordeaux and Rhône varieties. Malolactic fermentation is completed in barrel, and the wine ages for eighteen months in 20% new French and American oak with monthly bâtonnage — a lees-stirring technique specifically employed to coat the tannins and produce the wine's characteristically luscious, cushioned mouthfeel. The North Coast AVA designation reflects fruit sourced across multiple premium growing regions.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with Luxardo cherries and ripe blueberries, then unfolds into more nuanced layers of graphite, cedar, pencil shavings, and violet. Tobacco leaf and baking spice emerge with air, adding complexity.

Taste: Full-bodied on entry, the palate delivers fresh black cherry and dark currant fruit that feels ripe yet restrained. Mid-palate, pressed flowers and turned-soil earthiness add dimension alongside chocolate and coffee-ground undertones. Ripe, polished tannins and fresh acidity keep the wine lifted and structured rather than heavy.

Finish: The finish is long and elegant, carrying sweet cedar, tobacco, and dark plum flavors well past the last sip. A thread of minerality and Earl Grey tea character lingers alongside fine-grained tannins.

How to Drink Ramey Claret

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass to allow the aromatic complexity to fully develop. Decanting for 30–45 minutes will soften the tannins and integrate the oak influence, though the wine's bâtonnage-driven texture means it drinks approachably even without extended aeration. A splash decant at minimum is recommended for younger vintages. The blend's balance of fruit weight and acidity makes it equally suited to a focused tasting alongside other Bordeaux-style California reds as it is to a long dinner with multiple courses.

Best For

• Serving as the anchor red at a dinner party featuring grilled or braised meats
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Bordeaux-style blends with California generosity
• Building a mixed case of critically acclaimed North Coast reds
• Cellaring three to seven years to explore how the tannin structure and fruit evolve

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ramey Claret taste like? Ramey Claret is a full-bodied wine dominated by dark cherry, black currant, and blueberry fruit layered with tobacco, cedar, chocolate, and graphite. Monthly bâtonnage during aging gives it a distinctively smooth, cushioned mouthfeel with polished tannins and a long, spice-driven finish.

How does Ramey Claret compare to the Ramey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? The Claret is David Ramey's entry-level Bordeaux-style offering and uses a six-grape blend including Syrah and Malbec alongside traditional Bordeaux varieties, giving it broader aromatic complexity and a softer, more approachable texture. The Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon is a more Cabernet-dominant, single-varietal wine that typically commands a higher price and delivers greater concentration and tannic structure.

Is Ramey Claret good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the wine's polished tannins, layered fruit, and elegant finish make it a strong standalone sipper, particularly after a brief decant to open up its aromatic nuances.

Where is Ramey Claret made? Ramey Claret is produced by Ramey Wine Cellars, located in Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California. The wine carries the North Coast AVA designation, indicating fruit sourced from premium vineyards across that broad appellation.

What foods pair well with Ramey Claret? Grilled lamb chops work beautifully with the wine's cedar and tobacco character. Braised short ribs complement its full body and dark fruit. Aged Gouda or Gruyère echo the wine's earthy, savory undertones. Mushroom risotto highlights its soil-driven minerality, and dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa and coffee notes on the finish.

What sizes does Ramey Claret come in? Ramey Napa Valley Claret is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Ramey Claret worth the price? Ramey Claret positions as a premium Bordeaux-style blend that delivers critical acclaim — 94+ points from Robert Parker and 94 from Jeb Dunnuck — at a price point below Ramey's single-vineyard and varietal Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings, making it strong value relative to its quality tier.

Why Ramey Claret?

The 94+ point score from Robert Parker is not incidental — it reflects a wine built with uncommon care at its price tier. The monthly bâtonnage regimen, borrowed from white wine production, is a distinguishing step that few red blends undergo and directly accounts for the Claret's signature cushioned texture. David Ramey's decades of experience at top California estates translate into a blend where six grape varieties cohere into a single, seamless expression rather than competing for attention. For drinkers seeking a Bordeaux-inspired red with California warmth, genuine complexity, and critical validation, this is one of the most compelling options in the North Coast category.