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! — a month ago

Sunny

9.4

Paarn 20€ und schlug in der Blindverkostung 300€ Weine — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Medium Ruby with aromas of red fruits, floral and new leather notes, fruit sources from several vineyard sites. On the palate flavors of cherry and plum fruits with tobacco and pepper spice. Firm chewy tannins, savory on a medium+ finish ending with notes of oak, mineral and earthy character. Drinking well now, good value. — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

8.9

Saint Amour. Raspberries & stuff. — 5 years ago

Chris B.

9.2

According to sources much more knowledgeable than me, 2016 was a fine year for the Southern Rhône. This was a sumptuous bottle and at $32, a bargain for the quality. Smells like a sandalwood candle and tastes like ripe stone fruit (cherries, plums) but there’s enough lingering herbs and tannins to give it staying power. Tastes a little more alcoholic than it actually is but this only adds to its luster as a wonderful dinner wine. — 6 years ago

Pascal Jeangirard

9.0

2015 perfect stability a nice experience — 7 years ago

Ted

9.1

Beautiful. Bigger bodied wine than I was expecting with it having some age to it. — 2 months ago

with Jeni

Jen Resnick

9.0

A superior rioja! — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

One of the oldest sources of Shiraz in the Barossa with vines first planted in 1847 by Johann Fiedler, a Prussian Lutheran. Their premium wine, The Ancestor Shiraz is produced in minimal quantities from this original vineyard ($300). Since 1860 the Schulz family have been custodians of Turkey Flat. Getting back to this wine, just medium weight, not a Barossa blockbuster. Red spicy fruits, with a little pepper - a seamless palate. Recommended. The house style…, they aim for an elegant yet powerful wine. — 5 months ago

Ricardo Bohn Goncalves

9.4

Py Imma Mai22 — 4 years ago

Kirsten Christiansen

9.5

One of the things I love in a Sauvignon blanc is when it has that green pepper thing going on and Marlborough is one of the most consistent sources for that so I always celebrate when I find a good one. And this is a good one. — 5 years ago

Eric Stec

9.3

2015 on May 21, 2019
A very distinct, unique red with tannins and fruit, but an unexpected and nuanced presence of berry, slight cinnamon, nutmeg and stone. Amazing round of all the reasons wine is a treasure. Hunting this down again! Costco Christmas package. — 7 years ago

Rudi Sanchez-Colberg

9.5

Fantastic effort. Worth cellaring a while longer... — 8 years ago

romo

9.3

Called St Joe Syrah. Fig and plum smoke, beautiful balance. Took this home. — 4 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.3

Apple, lemon, cedar, dried apricot, honey, mango and oak. Great acidity and balance. — 5 months ago

Cary Fisher

8.9

Floral notes with mineral undertones. A lot going on. We loved it with homemade roasted tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches — 10 months ago

with Mark

Pablo

9.2

Good stuff. Dry. Medium body. Tannic. Expensive?! Sure. But there are market factors at play in pricing. Pairs well with a variety food. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Fruit sources from 7 organic vineyards over 3 AVA’s, Ruby with aromas of red/black fruits and earthy spices. On the palate youthful flavors of cherry and black raspberry, cacao, tea and licorice notes with elegant spice. Fine rich tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, cedar and earthy mineral notes. Good value! — 4 years ago

Brad S

9.2

Beautiful color. Outstanding value. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

A new Rioja for me I grabbed in Spain from @gabymeetswine @vilaviniteca @ €105 & whilst nice I think it’s overpriced as you get just as good quality in many £40-£50 Rioja but that said it’s nice 😉 & quite unusually earthy & mineral laden 😁 leave 5 years 👍

📍 Olivier Riviere Losares 2013 Rioja

🏵 92-93 points

🍇 Mazuela, Graciano & Tempranillo

🍷 Deep dark ruby

👃 Soggy earth, gravel, minerals & pencil lead through muted dark cherry w/ a light smokey soaked oak tone, red currant, balsamic & herbs then the oak really pushed through on steroids after a couple of hours

👄 Med body of red & dark cherry in balsamic w/ cocoa & minerals galore w/ a touch of blackberry

🎯 Med+ dry tannic red & dark cherry/berry cocoa mineral earthy linger w/ an okay follow through
— 7 years ago