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
2013 was one of the most idyllic growing seasons in many years, with picture-perfect weather from spring through harvest. Though late-2012 rains provided enough water to ensure adequate soil moisture, drought-like conditions throughout the 2013 growing season limited vine vigor and allowed us to further fine-tune our viticultural techniques. With temperatures that were neither too hot nor too cold, we achieved ideal ripeness, while still preserving excellent natural acidity. With no threat of rain or heat events near harvest, we were able to pick all of our fruit precisely when we wished.
Winemaking
Grapes from the 2013 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.
