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Russian River Valley
2023 Davis Bynum Dutton Origin Chardonnay
Out Of Stock
Winemaking Notes
Aromas of Opal apples and poached pear give way to graham cracker, crème brûlée and toasted oak. The mouthfeel is rich and inviting, complemented by a subtle acidity. Flavors of baked bread, golden apple and dusty oak last on the long, rich finish. Enjoy this Chardonnay with dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù Bolognese, chicken and butternut squash enchiladas, or garlic mushroom pasta with crème fraîche and Italian herbs.
Vineyard Notes
One of Sonoma County’s early agricultural pioneers, the Dutton family planted grapes in the 1960s when many didn’t see the winegrowing possibility in Russian River Valley. Like Davis, they saw incredible potential in the land and became instrumental in bringing prestige to this region. Our inaugural vintage of Dutton Origin Chardonnay is made from their original 1967 planting of old Wente clone at their Home Ranch. While these old vines bear very little fruit compared to younger plantings, older vines have expressive character which is imbued in their wines. Only 6 barrels of wine were made from this planting, making this first vintage even more special.
Production Notes
Extra rain into the spring of 2023 saturated the ground, delaying bud break and therefore harvest, later that fall. After the last rain fell in early May, sunny dry weather became the norm. Pleasant summer days rarely hit 95°F through late August and so véraison was predictably late, by about a month. After a rare tropical storm hit California at the end of August, harvest started much later than normal. Owing to the late bud break and the nature of older vines, this was the latest Chardonnay pick we’ve ever had. But the wait was worth it, as the clusters ripened slowly, finally hand-picking beautiful grapes on October 27under ideal fall conditions.
Other Notes
100% Wente Clone
Wine Specs
Vintage
2023
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Russian River Valley
Acid
0.72g/100mL
pH
3.32
Aging
14 months in French oak barrels, 67% new
Alcohol %
14.5
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