The Vineyards
The Dutton Ranch is located in Green Valley, a sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley and one of the coolest sub-appellations in Sonoma County . This Ranch consistently produces world-class Chardonnay. We have been sourcing fruit from the Dutton’s since 1985, and the Dutton family allows us to harvest fruit from some of their most prized blocks: Dutton Hill (which is planted to the Delporto Clone), Rued Hill and Rued Flats (which is planted to the Hyde Clone and Clone 15). These low-yielding, small-berried Chardonnay clones, which thrive in the well-drained, sandy soils and fog-cooled climate found on this ranch, have produced some our finest Chardonnays.

The Vintage
The 2004 vintage brought very low yields, which bodes well for quality Chardonnay. The growing season got off to an early start, which led to one of the earliest harvest seasons we have seen in 26 years (with some wineries starting harvest as early as July)! We had unusually warm weather in the beginning of March triggering early budbreak. We had a warm Spring and a relatively mild summer, which allowed the grapes to ripen at a slow, steady pace. The erratic weather in May caused a lot of shattering and further decreased yields. September heated things up, boosting sugar-levels and accelerating harvest. We started harvesting the grapes September 8 th and completed harvest on September 28 th. The grapes were harvest at an average brix of 25.5.

Winemaking

All lots are carefully hand-picked, delivered in ½ ton bins and whole cluster pressed as gently as possible. No press wine is added back. Lots are separated by clone and are either yeasted or fermented naturally with indigenous strains. After primary and malolactic fermentation, the wine is left sur lie with frequent battonage and then aged for 7½ months in 70% new Francois Freres, 10% two-year-old and 10% one-year-old French oak, with a portion aged in 10% new Hungarian oak. Only the best barrel lots are selected for the final blend. The wine is then carefully milk fined to remove oxidative pigments and bitterness and bottled.

Winemaker's Notes:
Medium gold in color, this wine has lovely aromas of toast, butter, marzipan, peaches and pears. In the mouth, it flaunts flavors of Golden Delicious apple and Meyer lemon. The wine’s body is medium to full with silky elegance and roundness. It is a richer, more supple wine than previous vintages and excellent with clam chowder and fettuccini alfredo.