The Dutton Ranch has always been one of the most famous Sonoma sources for Chardonnay. This is the rich and buttery style of Chardonnay that Sonoma has made famous. In 1998 colleagues Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield decided to start a winery together. Steve Dutton is a 5th generation farmer while Dan has a background in chemistry and later completed the illustrious UC Davis program in winemaking. He had stints at Robert Mondavi and even made wine in Portugal for two years before coming back to California and taking on this project.
I’ve enjoyed Dutton-Golfield ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnays many years. They appeal with their rich and buttery texture as Dutton Ranch sources from some of the choicest fruit out of Sonoma.
The new releases at Dutton-Goldfield impressed. I was particularly impressed with their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay offerings. Their 2013 ‘Azaya Ranch' Vineyard Pinot Noir was an earthy offering that had great ripe fruit. Their 2013 ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnay also impressed with the rich and buttery profile. Many of these wines are not distributed to the Northwest, so you might have to buy them on the Dutton-Goldfield website (http://www.duttongoldfield.com). Some of these wines can be found at Total Wines as well as some specialty Northwest wine shops. Here are the new releases from Dutton-Golfield:
2013 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Chileno Vineyard’ Riesling- The fruit is sourced from a vineyard in windswept northwest Marin. This Kabinette style dry Riesling was fermented in stainless steel and has aromas of has jasmine, pear and red delicious. There is a nice bright acidity which leads to flavors of pear, lychee and gooseberry. This is definitely bone dry. Drink 2015-2020. -88 $25.00
2013 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Green Valley’ Vineyard Gewurtztraminer- This was planted in a cold nook in the Green Valley, as this is one of the only Sonoma County sites for Gewurtz. The vineyard is located roughly 3 miles out from the winery. This was fermented in stainless tanks before being bottled for six months prior to being released. The wine has a floral nose with rose petals and cut grass alongside lychee. There is nice and bright acidity to this wine, leading to flavors of cantaloupe, pears and lychee. Lovely texture and minerality. Drink 2015-2020 -90 $25.00
2013 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch’ Pinot Noir-. From the esteemed Dutton Ranch vineyard, the fruit was hand sorted prior to fermentation. This spent 10 months in French oak (40% new) before bottling. The wine opens with a bouquet of cran-raspberry, nutmeg and red cherry with a lovely spice character. Nice minerality and richness on the mouthfeel. On the mid-palate there is cherry tomato, red cherry, raspberry and vibrant mineality. The acid backbone is suggestive of a long-ageing wine. Drink 2015-2028. -91 $40.00
2013 Dutton-Goldfield 'Angel Camp' Vineyard Pinot Noir- This wine comes from the Angel Camp vineyard located in Philo in the Anderson Valley. This saw 11 months in French oak (50% new) and was bottled in August 2014. The nose has Christmas spice, red cherry and dill. Palate has cran-cherry, and raspberry. Slightly shut down, needs at least another year. Tangy wine. Drink 2016-2022. -91 $40.00
2013 Dutton-Goldfield 'Azaya Ranch' Vineyard Pinot Noir- This wine is made from a northwest Marin County vineyard. This opens with aromas of Christmas spice and red cherry followed by flavors of cran-raspberry, mushroom and red cherry. Drink 2015-2022. -92$58.00
2012 Dutton-Goldfield 'Cherry Ridge' Vineyard Syrah- This vineyard is in the Green Valley, north of the Petaluma Wind Gap. This wine was not made in 2010 or 2011 due to coldness of the vintages and ripening issues. This saw 20 months in French oak (40% new). The wine opens with aromas reminiscent of white pepper and smoked meats. Palate has red cherry, white pepper and green bell pepper. This is somewhat shut down at the moment and needs time to express fruit. Drink 2016-2025. -91
2013 Dutton-Goldfield 'Dutton ranch' Chardonnay- Dutton Ranch farms over 80 vineyards in Sonoma. The vineyards selected for this wine include 75% of old vine Chardonnay, over 30 years of age and includes the Mill Station, Walker Hill and Rued vineyards. The wine opens with aromas of buttered popcorn and mango with pear on the nose. Palate has mushroom, pear, golden delicious and vibrant minerality. This is classic Dutton Ranch in the hedonistic style. Drink 2015-2022. -92
2013 Dutton-Goldfield 'Rued Vineyard' Chardonnay- The Rued vineyard is located in an east facing hillside in Green Valley. The vineyards was planted in 1969 and is one of the oldest Sonoma sites for Chardonnay. The wine opens with aromas of pear and pineapple, with golden delicious. Palate has pear, red delicious and starfruit with minerals. Delicious wine that would pair exceptionally well with turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Drink 2015-2022. -92
2014 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Shop-Block’ Pinot Blanc- This Green Valley wine is from a cool site, planted in 2003, that has sandy soils and utilizes dry farming. The wine has a bouquet of bright pear, starfruit and red delicious. Palate has red delicious, vibrant minerality and pear. This seems like a wonderful wine for summer and is novel. Up there with the best Pinot Blanc in Sonoma. Drink 2015-2020. -90