Reviews & Ratings

2012 Dutton Goldfield Chardonnay "Dutton Ranch"

Winery: Dutton Goldfield

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Dutton Ranch"

Wine Category: Chardonnay

Grape blend: 100% Chardonnay

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Russian River Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $38

Cases produced: 3,343

KWG Score: 87.8 (based on 6 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: September 5, 2014

Wine Review: This straw colored Chardonnay is very impressive. It opens with an attractive vanilla oak and lemon bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, and creamy. The flavor profile is a tasty mild oak and apple blend with hints of lemon verbena and pear. The finish is dry and its flavors drift away nicely. This Chard is very food friendly and was a crowd pleaser. I would pair well with chicken cordon bleu. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The long, friendly 2012 growing season enhanced the pear, tropical and stone fruit tones in our Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, framing the focused citrus and minerality that are always at the core of the wine. The citrus aromas lean toward Meyer lemon and tangerine this year, supported by pear/guava fruit elements and ginger/cream wood characters, inviting you in for a sip. In the mouth, the lusciousness that expresses this season is balanced by solid acidity and an evolving fruit core that keeps you coming back. Lemon sourball, ripe pear and a touch of green apple fill out the fruit profile, while the steely minerality and sweet cream touches juxtapose to add a complexity that we love in this wine. Moderate alcohol and the signature juicy acidity of Green Valley facilitate the fresh, lingering citrus/ginger finish. This is a wine that evolves in the glass and will easily reward 5 years of cellar aging, but both will be a challenge with its immediate allure.

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