2019 Warren's Collection Chardonnay

91 Points - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast

The Vineyard

Our past is our future with this wine named for Joe's father, Warren Dutton. Warren was a pioneer of Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley and so we honor his commitment to the land with this wine from our oldest vines. The fruit for this wine is harvested from our original Shop Block Chardonnay vineyard, which was planted in 1967-truly history in a bottle! The vineyard is located on the valley floor of the cool Green Valley region. Dutton Ranch farms more than 80 separate vineyards in the Russian River Valley. This vineyard is certified Sonoma County Sustainably-Farmed and Fish-Friendly.  It is dry-farmed and historically produces grapes of consistent character.

The Winemaking

The fruit for this wine, like all Dutton Estate wines, was harvested by hand at nigh to preserve the range of flavors. The fruit then went directly to press. Both concrete egg fermentation and barrel fermentation were used to highlight and balance the flavors and acidity. The wine experienced 50% malolactic fermentation before aging for 11 months. A combination of concrete egg and new and neutral French Oak barrels were used for the aging process in order to slightly soften this old vine Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes

Banana, peach, and caramel, are some of the immediate aromas of this Chardonnay followed by a touch of vanilla bean. Bright mineral characteristics, lemon zest and acidity on the palate. The soft French oak aging adds butterscotch on the mid palate and rounds off with the creaminess of a soft caramel candy.