Nose
Alluring black cherry and raspberry aromas, as well as layers of chocolate, smoke and spice.
Palate
On the palate, it is rich and velvety, with lush, mouthfilling berry flavors, silky tannins, complex spice and hints of sweet oak, espresso and vanilla.
Growing Conditions
Nestled in the cool, foggy hills above the Russian River Valley in Western Sonoma County, Dutton Ranch has earned a reputation as one of the appellation’s preeminent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards. Our Pinot Noir blocks are perfectly located on an east-facing slope with shallow soils and full sun exposure.
Harvest
For the third year in a row, Mother Nature provided exceptional growing conditions. In fact, 2012, 2013 and 2014 may be the finest run of growing seasons we have seen in our quarter century of Sonoma County winemaking. 2014 offered lovely temperate, mid-season weather that was ideal for our early ripening varieties. With no threat of rain or significant heat events, our fruit was harvested at an unhurried pace in pristine condition. Overall, our yields were down slightly from 2013, resulting in beautiful overall depth and concentration in both our Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Winemaking
Grapes from the 2014 vintage were fermented using a combination of punch-downs and pump-overs, with wild yeast, as well as select strains from Burgundy.
Aging
The wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels.
