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! — 11 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

So Williams Selyem Pinots should be treated is the same fashion as good burgundy, with age. It will always be somewhat sweeter than red burgundy but nonetheless very good.

This shows w/ an array of mid berry fruits accompanied by some darker fruits. Strawberries, cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, raspberries, hint of rhubarb, blackberries and haunting blueberries. Mid berry cola, red licorice, fruit tea, eucalyptus, pine tar notes, pine tree bark, dark, rich soils/earth, dry herbs, mid, dark spice, dry crushed rocks, dry limestone powder, black pepper notes, dry river stone, dry fall leaves, bright florals that are; red, blue, purple with a mix of red & pink roses, late spring waterfall acidity with extreme balance, tension, structure with elegance & smart polish for days and long sets on tree bark/sap & spice.

Still ascending. — 6 months ago

Ted

9.1

7 years old and still a pup. Another Vino Volo DTW pick-up. Fruit is very prominent and there is a slight black licorice note that hangs on for a few seconds. — 7 months ago

with Jeni

Tom Garland

9.5

+1 hour decant(lots of fine/cloudy sediment). A splendid still inky dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: expressive notes of dark red fruit, currants, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, scorched earth, nutmeg. Taste: silky, layered, rich wine with ripe blackberry/blueberry, earth, baking spice, chocolate, and a long minerally espresso never-ending finish. YUM!! — a month ago

with Brenda

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale straw lemon color with aromas of tropical fruit, lime citrus and grassy aromas. On the palate flavors of pear and grapefruit with herb notes, vivid acidity. Medium+ finish, ending with fruit, grassy noted and mineral tones. — 2 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

The Vineyardist 2nd label.
This one surprised me by how much air it needed to open up. Had a splash on day 1 and immediately corked it back up for a day 2 decant. Definitely not an over extracted Cabernet just to please the masses. My ratings might be higher than others but I work these wines to get the best out of them.

Interesting note I found-

The Vineyardist is a Diamond Mountain property with a long history. In the late 19th century it was purchased by a Dutch shipping captain who planted vineyards and made wine. During prohibition the vineyards were replaced with nut and prune orchards. In 2000 the property was purchased by Dirk Fulton and Becky Kukkola, who began replanting some of the 80 acres to vineyards. — 6 months ago

Paul J

9.6

Somewhat cloudy gold color. Melons, camomile, and a touch of peach on the nose. Same on the palate. Massive depth and long finish. Zero acidity. Very well made. — a month ago

with Brooke

Steve Messinger

9.1

Mushroom and forest floor nose w dried cherry. Dried cherry and chocolate flavors. Long finish. — a month ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Clear, medium ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of raspberries, hibiscus, and potting soil; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol, light body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of cherries, strawberries, and dried leaves with a long finish. This wine is complex and intense with good length. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. — 5 months ago

with Nellie

Freddy R. Troya

10

Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel – 2023
Benito Dusi Ranch – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extraordinary single-vineyard Zinfandel from one of the most historic and consistent sites in Paso Robles. The 2023 vintage delivers depth, purity, and that unmistakable Dusi Ranch character—old-vine concentration wrapped in Ridge’s signature balance and finesse. This bottling remains one of the benchmark Zinfandels in California.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe plum, and raspberry preserve with accents of warm spice, licorice, dried herbs, and a touch of cracked pepper. Subtle cocoa and cedar from restrained oak play in the background.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity energizes the palate while fine, structured tannins keep everything focused. Long, plush, and satisfyingly powerful.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired pizza, smoky brisket, or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A stellar expression of old-vine Paso Robles Zinfandel, opulent, balanced, and deeply flavorful. A true standout in Ridge’s portfolio.

Did You Know?
The Dusi family has farmed this vineyard for generations, and Ridge has made wine from the site since 1967. These old vines consistently produce some of the most character-rich Zinfandel in the state, making Benito Dusi one of Ridge’s most iconic single-vineyard bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits at the very top of my favorite Zinfandels, extraordinary from start to finish, and a reminder of why Ridge continues to define the category. — 7 months ago