Winemaker Notes
Dutton Ranch farms over eighty unique vineyards located in the coolest areas of the Russian River Valley, primarily in the Green Valley sub-appellation. The Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir blend represents their vision for the character of this special region: juicy berry fruit in both the nose and the mouth, solid structure with fine tannins, and alluring balance. Bush, Galante, Emerald Ridge, Goff, Marty’s #2, and Jentoft are all in the heart of Green Valley, and each contributes a unique variation of Green Valley fruit to heighten the complexity of the blend. Ruxton is high on Stoetz Ridge on the western edge of the Russian River Valley and brings great color and focus to the mix. All of these vineyards are Sonoma County Certified Sustainable.
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Matured for 10 months in 40% new French oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch bursts from the glass with inviting aromas of blackberry, cranberry, forest floor and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, spice and earth-laced flavors. It’s structured by soft, dusty tannins and bright, juicy acidity, and it has a long, spicy finish.
-
James Suckling
A vivid, cherry-scented wine that's nicely complex and has the needed structure for a vivid mouthfeel. Red cherry, sour cherry, rhubarb and black tea flavors show pure pinot character on a medium body braced by moderate tannins.
-
Wine Spectator
A plump red, offering punchy pomegranate and cherry fruit laced with a subtle mineral edge that harnesses the finish nicely. Drink now through 2027. 3,000 cases made.
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the mainstays of the Dutton-Goldfield production. Using fruit from carefully chosen vineyards, Dan Goldfield produces wine that reflects the natural tendencies of the area: crisp, well-structured wines that display the complexity, balance and intensity that the partners believe are key to world-class wines.
Dutton-Goldfield Winery's first releases were a Dutton Ranch Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the 1998 vintage. Today Dan and Steve continue to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Dutton Ranch plantings, numerous vineyard-designated wines, as well as small lots of old vine Zinfandel and hillside Syrah. The Dutton-Goldfield wines are crafted using traditional techniques such as barrel and malolactic fermentation for the Chardonnay, and open top fermentation for the Pinot Noir.
The winery is a partnership of friends, colleagues, neighbors and families. The wines reflect this spectacular part of Northern California where the grapes are grown, the superb quality of fruit from perfectly placed and planted vineyards, and the work of an appreciative winemaker.
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.