2016 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is an entry-level Chardonnay from Dutton-Goldfield Winery from Russian River Valley of California. The winery is a partnership of Steve Dutton fifth-generation farmer and Dan Goldfield an experienced winemaker.
Dutton Ranch Vineyards
Dutton Ranch has over eighty single vineyards in Russian River. It offers an opportunity for Steve and Dan to blend fruit from different sights to achieve results they are looking for. The grapes for this wine come from the coldest area of Russian River with 75% of the fruit from 30+ years old vines.
2016 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay Tasting Notes
2016 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay has aromas of baked apple, caramel, lemon skin, toast, a bit of toast and some minerality.
Unlike typical buttery California Chardonnay, Dutton Ranch has a refreshing acidity and buttery notes, while present, don’t overtake the wine allow the fruit lead the way. It has a medium body, and while we tasted some nectarine, it has a pronounced lemony profile manifesting in a few ways. We tasted grilled lemon, lemon candy, lemon toffee, and lemon-flavored cream topping.
Overall, 2016 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is in a category between Chablis and California style Chards. It’s great that Dutton-Goldfield and many other wineries are responding to wine lovers request for more balanced wines rather than “butter bombs” in a glass.
Taste Debates
We had mixed feelings about this wine. Then we thought to be fair we need to think of it in comparison with Chardonnays from Oregon and Washington. It helped us realize that we enjoyed Dutton Ranch Chardonnay more than more expensive wines from its northern neighbors.
So, if you can’t decide whether to have Chablis or California Chard, Dutton Ranch Chardonnay from Russian River of California might be the answer. Let us know when you try it what you think.
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