Sonoma Cutrer Dutton Ranch

Chardonnay grapes were harvested in late September from two Dutton Russian River Valley Vineyards- Gerboth and Alpers. After hand-sorting, the grapes were whole-cluster pressed to avoid bitter tannins from the skins and grape seeds. The cool, golden-green, free-run juice was sent directly to French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine was then aged sur-lies in French oak barrels that were a mixture of 29% new and one-year old, 40% 2 year old and 31% older oak for 10 months. The barrels staves were exclusively procured by our forester in France, Nathalie Gauthier, mostly from the Orleans region of France.

This wine is vibrant and very aromatic with scents of lightly baked apple, pie crust, melon, nectarine, clove, oak spice, and toasted sourdough bread with butter. On the palate you will find rich flavors of peach, oak spice, and baked apple. It is elegantly structured with citrus-laced acidity and lengthy, toasty oak finish. Ready to drink now.