2019 Dutton Ranch

91 Points: Tom Hyland Forbes.com - August 2021

“Light yellow; aromas of guava, melon and saffron. Medium-full, this is quite rich on the palate and displays more intense wood notes and power than the Heintz Chardonnay. This is more in the style of many California Chardonnays from the 1980s and 1990s and needs to be paired with very rich seafood (lobster, swordfish) or meats such as roast veal. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years.”

The Dutton family has been growing grapes in Sonoma County — specifically the Russian River Valley — for generations. Their fruit is highly prized, as their knowledge of the land and meticulous farming have resulted in exceptional consistency and quality over the years. The grapes for this Chardonnay came exclusively from vineyards farmed by the Dutton family in the heart of the Russian River Valley, where the marine influence produces an intense fog layer that regularly covers the region during the growing season, creating a perfect microclimate for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

• composition:

  100% Chardonnay

• alcohol: 14.4%
• bottling date: 11/04/2020
• aging:

  Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new / 20% one-year-old

• fermentation:

  Whole cluster pressed then racked to French oak for fermentation and partial malolactic (75%).