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! — 6 days 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 — 9 months ago

with Mark

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

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! — 3 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. — 4 months ago

romo

9.3

Called St Joe Syrah. Fig and plum smoke, beautiful balance. Took this home. — 3 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.3

Apple, lemon, cedar, dried apricot, honey, mango and oak. Great acidity and balance. — 4 months ago

Sunny

9.4

Paarn 20€ und schlug in der Blindverkostung 300€ Weine — 9 months ago

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