Ram’s Gate started in 2011 focusing on small lot productions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from with the Carneros AVA where the winery is located. Since then they have expanded to other vineyard sites including the Sonoma Coast. This 2017 offers notes of butterscotch, lemon zest, honeysuckle, tangerine, lime kefir, and sweet resin. It also packs a zestiness with acidity to match, making it ideal with foods. Aged 11 months, about a third of the barrels were new French oak. The oak is present, but the fruit and acidity are center stage.

ORIGIN: Sonoma Coast, California

ALCOHOL: 14.2%

PRICE: $42 /750 ml

PAIR WITH: Mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, fried chicken.

SCORE: 90 POINTS