Patz & Hall Dutton Ranch Chardonnay 2007

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BN#248127

Patz & Hall

With perfect weather and significantly smaller crops than the previous vintage, 2007 was a standout year for Chardonnay, and the 2007 Dutton Ranch - Russian River Valley Chardonnay is no exception. Seamlessly combining both high tone and bass notes, this wine begins with lovely tropical aromas of mango and pineapple accented by subtle Muscat and white flower notes. On the palate, the wine is flowing and gracious, echoing the tropical fruit of the nose and combining it with layers of nut crust, graham cracker and crème brûlée. Though bone dry, it hints at sweetness, and concludes with an appealingly full and broad-textured finish.

Wine Advocate

The 2007 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch exhibits a more buttery, caramel, and hazelnut-scented style, and in that sense, it harkens back to the older style of California Chardonnays. This broad, full-bodied, rich, bone dry effort reveals more oak than in some of its siblings. Consume it over the next 3-4 years.

Score: 92. —Robert Parker, February 2010.

Wine Enthusiast

A rich but elegant Chardonnay. Shows massive, concentrated flavors of pineapples, pears and green apples, liberally accented with the vanilla and buttered toast of oak barrels. Flamboyant, yet balanced with crisp coastal acidity and a tang of minerals.

Score: 91. —Steve Heimoff, December 14, 2009.