PATZ & HALL 2013 “Dutton Ranch” Russian River Chardonnay
VINEYARD
This wine is 100% Chardonnay sourced from some of the oldest plantings of Chardonnay in western Sonoma County dating back to 1969. This wine is predominantly a blend of California heritage clones and selections – Robert Young, Rued, Hyde-Wente, UC Davis clone 4 and Spring Mountain. Mostly dry-farmed, the vines struggle to produce small but intensely concentrated berries, making for great depth of flavor and texture. Historically, Dutton Ranch yields fragrant, tropical aromatics, underscored by crisp mineral character.
CELLAR
The grapes are whole cluster pressed. Fermentations are carried out using completely indigenous yeast. It is aged surlies in Burgundian French oak barrels (38% new) with weekly stirring and completes malo-lactic fermentation in barrel.