Our friends at Dutton Estate have delivered three new chardonnays for the spring 2023 season, all hailing from various sources near their Russian River Valley estate operation and harvested in 2021. Let’s dive in.
2021 Dutton Estate Chardonnay Kyndall’s Reserve – Tasted twice; first bottle was mildly corked. The second showcased classic Sonoma chardonnay elements, running from almonds to coconut to a gentle, caramel-driven sweetness. There’s a light floral quality here evoking orange blossoms, then more coconut and some baking spice on the finish. Not so much fruit in the mix, but the wine is versatile and well-rounded. A- / $46
2021 Dutton Estate Chardonnay Warren’s Collection – Boldly creamy with notes of lemon curd and vanilla custard, this iconic chardonnay evokes the essence of California without ever becoming overwhelming with oak. Lemony citrus dominates the finish, which lightly evokes notes of tropical guava, matched with a pinch of baking spice. Versatile (again) and worthwhile solo or as a companion to a meal; my favorite in this lineup by a slight margin. A- / $57
2021 Dutton Estate Chardonnay Dutton Palms Vineyard – The most traditional wine of the bunch, the ample oak here keeps the focus more on the barrel, where a heavy vanilla and spice note complement underlying notes of lemon peel and quince. The oak steers the boat here, though, giving the finish a lightly woody character scented with cloves. A slightly different experience than the milder wines above, but no less engaging. A- / $51
2021 Dutton Estate Chardonnay Warren’s Collection
$57
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