2022 Russian River Valley

92 Points: MaryAnn Worobiec Wine Spectator - 2024

“Shows a lip-smacking mix of salted butterscotch, lemon bar, caramelized apple and fresh pear and apricot notes on a smooth, supple frame. The vibrant acidity lends terrific focus to all of the details, with hints of cardamom, marzipan and fresh orange zest lingering effortlessly. Drink now.”

The 2022 vintage was impacted by a third consecutive year of drought that resulted in up to a 10-30% reduction of yields. The growing season was temperate, which in grape growing means we were on track or ahead of normal growth. Then we saw some heat spikes that prompted our first picks. 2022 was a year for vintage-to-vintage variation and differentiation between vineyards. The Shop Block is planted to the Wente selection, which delivers small berries with intriguing floral aromatics. Mirabelle Vineyard is planted to Clone 95, which offers distinct stone fruit aromas and flavors.

The grapes for this wine came from two exceptional vineyards in the famed Russian River Valley appellation, with each of these beautiful sites bringing something unique and appealing to the blend. The vineyards include the Dutton Family’s Shop Block. In addition, fruit from Mirabelle Vineyard also shines in the blend. Each of these vineyards features a different clone, which further enhances the flavorful mosaic of this exciting wine.

• composition:

  100% Chardonnay

• alcohol: 14.4%
• cases made:

  784 Cases

• bottling date: 08/02/2023
• fermentation:

  Barrel fermented in 18% new oak and 18% one-year-old oak, with remaining neutral oak