This is California Chardonnay at its best! With just a few years of cellar time, the 2017 Chateau Boswell Ritchie is now even more ultra-rich and opulent, yet gloriously refreshing with dazzling bright fruit. The introduction features a symphony of fresh fruit flavors balanced by a sense of harmony and class only found in California’s blue chip Chardonnays. Captivating hints of butterscotch and Hawaiian macadamia nuts come alive on the palate intertwined with notes of fresh peaches, vanilla, minerals, lemon oil, and honeysuckle on the pristine finish that is still relatively restrained as of this writing. This ultra-impressive new Chardonnay is 100% unfiltered and aged in new French Oak with indigenous wild yeast for 19 months. The result is a powerhouse effort that combines the age-ability of a noteworthy “grand cru” Burgundy with the full throttle Russian River fruit California collectors will adore. Aging potential for 5 – 7 years, peaking around 2025 in our estimate. 99 points now and contender for triple digits in the next few years.