There's a shortlist of pioneering California winemakers who have blazed their own trail, raised the bar for all, and influenced the next generation of great winemakers. David Ramey is of these rare individuals. Ramey's wines have become the benchmark for Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. Today we have one of these unprecedented benchmarks.
 
Introducing the 98-point 2018 Ramey Syrah from Sonoma Coast. Wine Enthusiast tells us this wine is "sublime in texture and complex in structure" and that "this is an outstanding vintage of this wine." The only thing more impressive than the 98-point review is the modest price tag.
 
When you can find Northern Rhone quality Syrah with aromas of smoked meat, cracked white pepper, green olives, grapefruit pith coupled with a silky smooth and savory finish for less than $45 a bottle and a 98-point score, bringing home 6 to 12 bottles is a no-brainer.
 

If you're wondering how such a high-scoring wine can be had for such a comparably inexpensive price tag you need to look no further than the spectacular 2018 vintage. Wine Spectator wrote the perfect description of this flawless vintage: "a goldilocks vintage with a flawless growing season that allowed winemakers to craft impressive wines." You can't have great wine without great fruit and you can't have exceptional wine without exceptional fruit. The fruit cultivated from the 2018 harvest was the latter.

Exceptional fruit isn't all it takes to craft an exceptional bottle of wine. David Ramey's expertise in the vineyard and in the cellar is what brought these "goldilocks" conditions together. You see, before founding Ramey Wine Cellars in 1996, David helped establish a number of preeminent wineries including, Chalk Hill, Dominus Estate, and Matanzas Creek. David also learned under the tutelage of the Moueix family at the renowned Château Pétrus.

David utilizes his UC Davis graduate degree along with time-honored French winemaking methods (learned while working at Pétrus) to create wines that are rich, lush, and silky smooth. Leave it to this California icon to deliver a 98-point Syrah for under $45 a bottle. It doesn't get any better than this. 

2016 Whitehall Lane Leonardini Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Aprende Más Acerca de Vino

Las Mejores Selecciones de Vino

Aventuras Con Vino: Guías de Viaje y Más

Guide to Capri: Where to Stay Eat and Drink, without a Boat!

READ FULL ARTICLE

EU Winemakers Heading for the Hills: Climate Change Rewrites the Wine Map

READ FULL ARTICLE

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: The Tuscan Wine That’s Redefining Excellence

READ FULL ARTICLE

How the Judgment of Paris Shook Up the Wine World

READ FULL ARTICLE

What is Port Wine? Learn More About Port Styles, History and What to Pair it With

READ FULL ARTICLE

Bordeaux Travel Guide 2024: Walking Tour in Bordeaux City - Local's Ultimate Food & Wine Insider Tips

READ FULL ARTICLE

A True Wine Insider’s Guide to Napa Valley: The Ultimate Guide to Napa Valley 2024

READ FULL ARTICLE

Wines of Croatia: A Taste of the Adriatic

READ FULL ARTICLE

The Best Burgundy Vintages in the Past 20 Years

READ FULL ARTICLE

Italian Wine Ambassador’s Insider Notes on the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Blog - Big Hammer Wines

READ FULL ARTICLE

A Wine Lover’s Guide to the Bordeaux Wine Region

READ FULL ARTICLE

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Oakville vs. Rutherford

READ FULL ARTICLE

Barolo Brilliance: Unraveling the Mystique of Piedmont's Noble Nebbiolo

READ FULL ARTICLE

Bordeaux Beyond the Classics: Exploring Lesser-Known Appellations

READ FULL ARTICLE

A Detailed Review of Italian Wine Regions, By Italian Wine Expert

READ FULL ARTICLE

Exploring the Marvels of The South African Wine Regions

READ FULL ARTICLE

Talosa Vino Nobile Cantina Storica in Montepulciano

READ FULL ARTICLE

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Embark on an Unforgettable Tuscan Adventure Sangiovese wine

READ FULL ARTICLE

The Ultimate Guide to Baja California Wine Region

READ FULL ARTICLE

Talosa Winery Montepulciano Etruscan Underground Cellar Tour

READ FULL ARTICLE

Big Hammer Wines Films

Aglianico Lovers: Meet the 99-Point Wine Named “Barolo of the South”!

READ FULL ARTICLE

Feeling ⛓️Like a Wine Prisoner? Break Free with This Top-Rated 2019 Napa Blend

READ FULL ARTICLE

Love Rhône Valley? This is the sample pack for you!

READ FULL ARTICLE

Verona Sampler

Verona Sampler

READ FULL ARTICLE

Red Burgundy Sampler

Red Burgundy Sampler

READ FULL ARTICLE

Calling All Bordeaux Rouge Fans!

READ FULL ARTICLE

The Right Bank Bordeaux Sampler, Experience Epic Wines

READ FULL ARTICLE

Love Rhône Valley? This is the sample pack for you!

READ FULL ARTICLE

Escape to Summer with this Rosé Adventure!

READ FULL ARTICLE

Pop The Bubbly & Embark On A Global Fizz Adventure!

READ FULL ARTICLE

Premier Wine Club 6pk Sampler: Greg Martellotto's Personal Favorites, Perfect for Sharing with Friends and Family!

READ FULL ARTICLE

Big Bold Reds 6pk Sampler: Perfect for Those Who Crave Bright, Fruity Wines with a Bold Punch!

READ FULL ARTICLE

Talosa Rosso Toscano Di Montepulciano

READ FULL ARTICLE

Fun, Italian Fizz. Unfiltered Prosecco that is NOT Sweet – BHW's Best Bargain!

READ FULL ARTICLE

For Bordeaux Lovers: The Right Bank Bordeaux 6pk Sampler. Experience Merlot and Cab FrancBased Epicness

READ FULL ARTICLE

A BudgetFriendly Journey through Enchanting Bordeaux Right Bank PetitChateaux!

READ FULL ARTICLE

2022 RaimbaultPineau Exception Sancerre

READ FULL ARTICLE

READ FULL ARTICLE

2015 Château Bourseau Lalande de Pomerol Reviewed by Big Hammer Wines “French” Wine Expert

READ FULL ARTICLE

Quality, Style, and Convenience. Get this EasytoUse ItalianMade Corkscrew Today! Sommelier Approved.

READ FULL ARTICLE