92PTS
Wine Spectator

2022 Russian River Valley

Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
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About this Wine

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.

Appellation Chardonnay

92 Points

“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.”
MaryAnn Worobiec
Wine Spectator, 2024
Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes
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Accolades
Accolades
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Winemaking
Winemaking
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Vintage
Vintage
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Vineyard
Vineyard
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Tech. Notes
Tech. Notes
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additional notes
Tasting Notes

This Chardonnay displays glorious energy, with intriguing anise and herbal aromas that are enlivened by notions of fresh lemon juice and ripe, fresh pineapple. On the palate, a rich, creamy texture balances the bright acidity, while carrying the wine’s classic Russian River Valley orange citrus and kiwi flavors to a long, complex finish.

Accolades
  • 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.”

Winemaking

All grapes went directly to press as whole clusters, with gentle pressing to preserve the bright, delicate characteristics we prize. After settling, the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation to give the wine just a hint of toast and spice. We used 18% new oak and 18% one-year-old oak (with the remainder being neutral) to allow the richness of the fruit to take center stage. After primary fermentation, the wine went through secondary malolactic fermentation to soften the natural acidity. This barrel-fermented wine was aged on the lees for nine months, with occasional stirring to increase richness. The final blend was assembled just prior to bottling, which occurred on August 2nd, 2023.

Vintage

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.

Vineyard

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.

Technical Notes
  • 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

additional notes
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