2009 Dutton Palms

The Wine...

This fine Chardonnay treats you to an aroma of ripe pear, honey and citrus. Its silky creamy texture of vanilla, oak and apple coat the palate. This vintage ends with a very long finish of rich butter and nutmeg. You will find this medium bodied great balanced wine fantastic to drink today or add it to your wine cellar for a treat over the next 8-10 years.    

The Vineyards...

Dutton Palms Vineyard, planted in 1991, is east facing and lies within the coolest part of the Green Valley. The hills and valley floor of Dutton Palms Vineyard consist of the traditional sandy loam Gold Ridge Soil, which is most prominent in the Green Valley and Russian River appellations. Dutton Palms is planted from the Chardonnay clone Warren Dutton used in 1967 to plant the original “Shop Block” Chardonnay vineyard at Dutton Ranch (Dutton Clone). Dutton Palms Vineyard highlights orange and citrus flavors and is extremely lush on the palate with a creamy texture.

The Winemaking...

The fruit from the Dutton Palms Vineyard is gently whole cluster pressed. The juice racked with solids into barrels. Individual lots are barrel fermented using indigenous yeasts. Undergoing natural malolactic fermentation, the lees are stirred twice monthly until malolactic fermentatiomn is complete. The chardonnay is aged in French oak barrels chosen by our winemaker to emphasize the fruit and vineyard characteristics of the wine rather than highlighting the flavors of the barrels. After selecting each barrel for this vineyard-designate wine, the final blend of Dutton Palms Chardonnay is given time to marry and settle for bottling in July 2008.