Winemaker Notes
A wet winter got their vineyards off to a healthy start, and the moderate summer that followed allowed for even and slow ripening. The resulting wines have a bit of extra plushness, which shows in r their Rued Chardonnay with a creamy quality to the opening aromatics. The classic lychee and tangerine are framed by pretty gardenia, Asian pear, and a little nutty brioche. In the mouth, the wine is rich yet remains light on its feet, and beautifully balanced. Lively lemon drop flavors lead the way, supported by jasmine accents. The long succulent pear pie finish is topped off with brisk citrus zest before a final kiss of butterscotch.
Go with dishes that match the texture of the wine, such as a creamy lobster risotto, seared scallops, and butter poached halibut. For cheeses, select those with a salty bite, like their Valley Ford Estero Gold Reserve, as a counterpoint.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a seamless, bright and complex white, with built-in plushness on the palate. Mango, pear and a hint of baking spice give a quiet richness that is further extended by flavors of brioche and crème brûlée.
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Wine Spectator
This version has lots of rich red berry nuances to the pear tart and lemon curd flavors, which are supported by vibrant acidity. Shows hints of lemongrass in the fleshy midpalate, with a long, well-spiced finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Chardonnay Rued Vineyard was also aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. Light smoky notes lift from the glass, with floral tones and vanilla. It displays a little more body within its medium build, with yellow apple and bitter almond on the finish. Drink over the next few years.
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.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Situated on the foggier and colder western edge of the Russian River Valley, almost abutting the Sonoma Coast appellation, Green Valley is one of California’s most reputable Chardonnay and Pinot noir producing regions. It is also a wonderful source of sparkling wines made from these varieties.
Goldridge soils abound throughout the Green Valley appellation. This fine, dark, sandy loam and fractured sandstone is derived from the remains of ancient inland seabeds dating back three to five million years. It is valuable for high quality grape growing because of its excellent drainage and low fertility.