Zio Tony Ranch

Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2011

93 (+?) Points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar | May 2013
“Pale straw-yellow. High-pitched, rather Chablis-like aromas of green apple, lemon, fresh herbs and flowers. Juicy, intense and vibrant but not yet complex, with insidious mineral-driven acidity giving the citrus, apple and nutmeg flavors a firm edge. Finishes penetrating and long, with terrific lift and a strong impression of salty minerality. I don't recall a stronger vintage for this bottling.”

2010

91 Points
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar | May 2012
Bright yellow. Rather subdued aromas of peach, spices, flowers "and vanilla. Fat, tactile and sweet, showing good richness..." - Stephen Tanzer

92 Points
WineLines Online | October 2012
"The nose is rich and fragrant, as the juicy ripe peach and apple fruit play off of the warm vanilla, butter toffee and perfumed wood spice. Full in the mouth, the wine coats the palate with spiced, buttered fruit. The afterflavor lingers a full 40 seconds after swallowing. Outstanding!”-Glen Frederiksen

2009

93 Points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar | May 2011
"Pale bright yellow. Apple, pear and spices on the nose, complicated by a leesy hazelnut quality that reminded me of Champagne. Concentrated, chewy and expressive, with a subtle savory quality to the dense peach and toast flavors. Finishes sexy and quite long, already conveying a lot of personality. An excellent showing." - Stephen Tanzer

2008

91 Points
Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar | June 2010
“Good bright yellow. Apple and honey on the nose. Plump and sweet, with noteworthy intensity to its orchard and stone fruit flavors. This, too, comes across as rather powerful but there’s very good concentration here.” - Stephen Tanzer

92 Points
Wine Advocate | March 2011
“From a Martinelli family-owned source of fruit, the 2008 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch (made famous primarily by John Wetlaufer and Helen Turley) exhibits notes of citrus blossom and white currants as well as a steely minerality. More leesy brioche and waxy notes are also present in this limited production, complex Chardonnay, which seems to me the best of the 2008s from Patz and Hall.” - Robert Parker

2007

92 Points
The Wine Advocate | February 2010
“The 2007 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch exhibits gorgeous notes of honeysuckle, green apple, lemon butter, melon, and vanilla. This rich, full-bodied Chardonnay possesses substantial flavor intensity, but is also refined and elegant. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years.” - Robert Parker

2006

90 Points
Wine Advocate | December 2008
“From the Russian River, the 2006 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch exhibits copious citrus and mineral characteristics along with hints of honeyed grapefruit, wet rocks, and spice. This clean, crisp, mediumbodied Chardonnay is slightly monolithic, but it will offer attractive drinking over the next 2-3 years.” -Robert Parker

2005

92 Points
Wine Spectator | June 2007
Intense and elegant, with vibrant, ripe pear, apple… More>

2004

92 Points
Wine Spectator | June 2006
Intense and complex, with concentrated pear, fig, hazelnut and earthy citrus… More>

2003

91 Points
Wine Spectator | March 2005
Fragrant aromas of freshly picked flowers fold in with ripe pear, honeysuckle… More>

93 Points
Wine Advocate | February 2005
…the 2003 Chardonnay Zio Tony Ranch possesses distinctive lychee, honeysuckle… More>