{"title":"Ramey","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"ramey-napa-valley-claret","title":"Ramey Napa Valley Claret","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRamey Napa Valley Claret\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: North Coast AVA, California  |  Bordeaux-Style Blend  |  Winery: Ramey Wine Cellars\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRamey 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Ramey Claret\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServing as the anchor red at a dinner party featuring grilled or braised meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Bordeaux-style blends with California generosity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a mixed case of critically acclaimed North Coast reds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring three to seven years to explore how the tannin structure and fruit evolve\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Ramey Claret taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Ramey Claret compare to the Ramey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ramey Claret good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Ramey Claret made?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Ramey Claret?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Ramey Claret come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Ramey Napa Valley Claret is available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Ramey Claret worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Ramey Claret?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ramey","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837464441001,"sku":"12449","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Ramey-Napa-Valley-Claret__89124.jpg?v=1730483149"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/ramey.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}