Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Dutton Ranch exemplifies the Russian River Valley’s potential to deliver blockbuster Chardonnay. The highly aromatic notes of citrus blossom, rose petal, nectarine and honeysuckle wash over the senses. These aromas translate to the palate where a densely textured, weightiness intermingles with perfectly ripe golden apple. Opulence from top quality French oak lends a crème brûlée aroma. All the while, a firm acid backbone cinches up the palate and lends focus. Being both generous in fruit and structured, this pairs with a wide variety of cuisine, from Asian to backyard BBQ.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A decadent nose of orchard blossoms, baked lemons and Marcona almonds turns into a super-bright but rich palate with flavors of juicy lemons, fresh pears and tart limeade. Clean, refreshing finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch has pure aromas of green apple, lemon peel, saline, toasted meringue and well-integrated spice from its 17-month maturation in 29% new French oak. The full-bodied palate is surprisingly generous with highly concentrated flavors and mouth-coating dry extract. It’s balanced by bright, focused acidity and has a long, expressive finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the single-vineyard wines, the 2022 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is a straw/yellow color and is more intense on the nose, with aromas of toasted spices, honeycomb, grilled pineapple, and lemon oils. The palate is generous and full-bodied, with its intensity continuing through a sustained and citrus-noted finish.
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Wine Spectator
An exuberant mix of pineapple, lemon and peach flavors is sleek and juicy, with details of lemon verbena, lemon blossoms, honeysuckle and yuzu. Fresh ginger, citrus zest and dried pear notes linger. Drink now. 2,400 cases made.
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.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.