Freddy R. Troya

9.2

The Calling “Dutton Ranch” Chardonnay 2023
Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A very expressive and generously styled Chardonnay sourced from the legendary Dutton Ranch vineyards, one of Sonoma’s most respected grower sites. The Calling crafts this bottling with a fruit-driven and naturally energetic personality, allowing the vineyard character to shine through without excessive winemaking manipulation. A Russian River Chardonnay that leans vibrant and mouthwatering rather than overly buttery or heavy.

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy tangerine, lemon curd, Honeycrisp apple, and ripe pear immediately jump from the glass. As the wine opens, layers of lemon verbena, ginger, citrus zest, jasmine, and subtle green tea nuances begin to unfold, adding complexity and freshness to the profile.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a rounded yet energetic texture. Bright acidity keeps the wine lively and refreshing while the fruit concentration gives it a generous California richness. The finish is persistent, citrus-driven, and beautifully mouthwatering.

Food Pairings
Excellent with roasted chicken, buttery seafood dishes, crab cakes, grilled salmon, creamy risotto, or triple cream cheeses.

Verdict
A compelling Russian River Chardonnay that balances generosity and freshness extremely well. The Dutton Ranch fruit gives this wine a very polished and expressive character while still maintaining tension and precision. Rich enough for California Chardonnay lovers, yet vibrant enough to remain highly approachable.

Did You Know?
Dutton Ranch is one of Sonoma’s most iconic multigenerational vineyard sources, supplying grapes to numerous top-tier California producers. Their cool-climate Russian River fruit is especially prized for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thanks to the region’s fog influence and long growing season.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the type of Chardonnay that reminds you why Russian River Valley became world famous for the style in the first place. Expressive, mouthwatering, and dangerously easy to revisit glass after glass. Cheers! — 2 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Tasting great. Big, bold, some butter, but a ton of tropical fruit, lemon, peach, some stones. Not typically my style but I’m enjoying this 9 year old version. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2023 vintage. Medium body. Well-made and solid with some complexities evident currently. Not dynamic or life-altering but a very, very excellent example of what has been, what is and what will be from this specific designation. 1.23.26. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. Filled in nearly every box on the checklist. Nice balance and acidity now with a correspondingly appropriate finish. Quintessential California chardonnay. 1.23.26. — 4 months ago

Paul Herrick

9.2

CA Pinot Noir with a kick. Not watery. Deep dry bite with a bitter fruit with light sweetness. — 5 months ago

Ted

9.4

My wife picked this because we fly into Jacksonville on our way to Palm Coast. Brilliant selection. Honey, pears, vanilla and lemon. Opened yesterday and had a glass left for today. Yesterday seemed there was baking spices, nutmeg. Minerals, wet stones and a touch of wax. Want to try this again in a few years. — 7 months ago

with Jeni

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2022 vintage. Light-medium/medium body. Pretty for pretty's sake. Wanted more structure but hey! Have some more pretty! Wouldn't mind revisiting in 3-4 years when overt impressions/ forefront markers blend, dissipate and integrate, 1.23.26. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2022 vintage. Medium body. Fleshy and fruity without much tannic visitation. Possibly better in 2-4 years. A little too fresh currently. 1.23.26. — 4 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

Black cherry, mushroom, and vanilla with a touch of oak. Rich but not overpowering. It’s smooth enough to drink alone but has enough acidity to stand up to food. — 5 months ago

W Box

9.3

It may be the vintage but this one much better than eighty something. — 7 months ago