The Calling Dutton Ranch Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2021 hails from Sonoma County, California, specifically the highly esteemed Green Valley region within the Russian River Valley. This area’s cool climate and well-drained soils provide an ideal environment for Chardonnay grapes, resulting in wines of exceptional balance and complexity. For this vintage, the growing season featured a cold start, a warm finish, and an early harvest, creating fruit-forward wines with vibrant flavors and ripe intensity.
This Chardonnay opens with bright aromatics of Bartlett pear, Meyer lemon, and stone fruit, complemented by subtle notes of crisp minerality. On the palate, it is textured and full-bodied, showcasing integrated acidity with layers of green apple, lemon bar, and white flowers that linger through a mineral-driven finish. Aged for 11 months in French oak (35% new), the wine achieves a harmonious balance of richness and elegance, highlighted by hints of Gravenstein apple, honeysuckle, and jasmine.
Crafted with precision, the grapes were hand-picked during the cool of the night and whole-cluster pressed before undergoing fermentation in barrels. Sur lie aging with frequent battonage adds weight and depth, resulting in a Chardonnay that is both vibrant and complex. With an alcohol content of 14.5%, this wine can be enjoyed on its own or paired with dishes like roasted chicken, seafood, or creamy pastas.