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Varietal
Chardonnay
Vintage
2012
Dutton Ranch
Vintage
2012
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Appellation
Russian River Valley
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Tasting NotesDutton Ranch Chardonnay was immediately identifiable as being special and superior to others. The wine has baked apple pie aromas and accentuates clean mellow fruit of gooseberry and citrus. This wine has a mineral complexity that the Russian River Valley appellation brings to chardonnay. It has richness and length in the palate that balance with the perfume and lemon citrus aromas.
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Wine OriginThe grapes for this Chardonnay came exclusively from a vineyard farmed by the renowned Dutton Family. The twelve best barrels made from this vineyard became the blend, each specifically selected for showing ideal and unique traits for this wine. The Dutton family has been growing grapes in Sonoma County---specifically the Russian River Valley---for generations. Their fruit is highly prized, as their meticulous farming has shown consistency and quality over the years.
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Production NotesThe 2012 vintage was one for the books in terms of ideal conditions. Moderate temperatures and weather conditions without rain or frost developed the fruit slowly and evenly. The Dutton Family maintains a good balance of fruit and leaf canopy on the vines which results in a healthy and robust crop. The grapes destined for the Dutton Ranch Chardonnay blend were harvested by hand October 3rd, 2012.
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Winemaker NotesIn order to maximize quality, all grapes went direct to press as whole clusters. After pressing and settling, the juice was racked into French oak barrels for fermentation. Once dry and finished with malo-lactic fermentation, the lots were aged in barrel for ten months on the lees, with occasional stirring to increase richness and body. Of the twelve barrels selected, three were new French oak and the others were neutral, ranging in age from two to four years. For this blend, Vernou, Quintessence and Francois Freres cooperages were selected. The Dutton Ranch Chardonnay was assembled just prior to bottling, which took place on August 9th, 2013.