Dutton-Goldfield
We head south today to the Russian River Valley, bringing you a top producer of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 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. Dan previously worked at Robert Mondavi Winery and even made wine in Portugal for two years before coming back to California and starting Dutton-Goldfield
I’ve enjoyed Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnays many years. The wine has your wonderful Sonoma character of butter, beautiful tree fruits and balance. The new release wines were gorgeous. Look for their 2015 Dutton Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnay (WWB, 92) which shows a wonderful range of flavors and aromatics with a plush mouthfeel. Their 2014 Dutton Goldfield ‘Rued Vineyard’ Chardonnay (WWB, 93) showed an even richer profile. This is a gorgeous Chardonnay that will cellar for a decade or more. Learn more about Dutton-Goldfield at http://www.duttongoldfield.com. Here are the great new releases from Dutton-Goldfield:
2015 Dutton-Goldfield 'Chileno Valley' Riesling- Balanced and poised, this great wine starts with aromatics of green papaya, green apple and lychee. The palate is dry and refreshing. Granny Smith apple, white peach and baking spice flavors sit alongside nice structure. Drink 2017-2022- 90
2016 Dutton-Goldfield 'Green Valley Valley' Gewurtztraminer- This cool climate wine begins with aromatics of roasted peaches, lychee and Asian spices. The palate is refreshing and mineral driven. The wine shows off mouth watering minerality. Tree fruits and a soft texture complete this awesome wine that is up there with the best of its kind in North America. Drink 2017-2022- 92
2015 Dutton-Goldfield 'Dutton Ranch' Chardonnay- One of the consistently good Chardonnay wines from Sonoma, this new edition, the 2015 impresses with its silky mouthfeel and rich flavors. The wine is a blend of six Dutton Ranch properties. This excellent wine begins with aromas of ripe aromatics of brioche, creme brulee and nectarine. The mouthfeel and texture is lovely, with toasty flavors leading to an exceedingly long vanilla cream finish. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Dutton-Goldfield 'Rued Vineyard' Chardonnay- This vineyard is located near the winery on Grayton Road, first planted in 1969. The wine was aged for 15 months in 50% new French oak and begins with aromatics of wild mushroom, baking spices, and lemon zest. The palate is plush leading to white peach, Meyer lemon and creme brulee flavors. The finish lingers to this rich and enticing Chardonnay. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Dutton-Goldfield 'Redwood Ridge' Pinot Noir- This awesome Pinot Noir wine is sourced from a vineyard located in the Sonoma coast region. The wine begins with bright aromas of red fruits with orange rind accents. The balance and structure is there as red fruits sit alongside some light tannins. The silky mouthfeel completes this awesome wine. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Dutton-Goldfield 'Azaya Ranch' Pinot Noir- This wine is sourced from a Marin County Vineyard, which is a challenging site that leads to small and highly concentrated Pinot Noir berries. The wine begins with pomegranate seed, orange rind and suggestions of teaberry. Blood orange, red cherry and baking spices flavors impress. This shows great poise. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Dutton-Goldfield 'McDougall Vineyard' Pinot Noir- This vineyard is located in the southern part of the Fort Ross- Seaview AVA. The wine begins with aromas of black cherry, black tea, and pipe tobacco. The salinity is really nice as are the bright red fruits and orange rind components. Spicy and sexy, with a strong salinity, this will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Dutton-Goldfield 'Emerald Ridge' Pinot Noir- This translucent Pinot Noir wine begins with aromas of rose petals, forest floor and red cherry pie. Delicious red cherry and red raspberry flavors sit alongside lithe minerality and a touch of citrus fruits. This has a wonderful texture. Drink 2017-2027- 92
2014 Dutton-Goldfield 'Freestone Vineyard' Pinot Noir- The Freestone Vineyard is foggy site first planted in 1996, this wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, cran-pomegranate and Asian spices. The palate is plush offering mouth watering flavors of blood orange, red cherry preserved and red raspberry. Drink 2017-2027- 93
2014 Dutton-Goldfield 'Devil's Gulch' Pinot Noir- This wine is sourced from a vineyard in Marin County, far south from the winery. This is a cool site for Pinot Noir and was first planted in the 1980s. Thyme, wild mushroom and red cherry aromatics impress. Pomegranate seed, red cherry preserves and teaberry flavors with orange rind and forest floor flavors are gorgeous. This has wonderful range and texture. The mouthwatering acidity completes this great wine. Drink 2017-2027- 93