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

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. — 5 months 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. — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. — a year ago

Eric Jasso

9.0

Perhaps too young at 9? Cranberry almost orange creamsicle like nose with thicker jammy body notes of licorice all throughout and a sharp finish — 3 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.2

I brought it I won with it… you always win when you bring the goods… landslide # 1 — 5 years ago

Miguel Jaimes

9.5

I’m getting it again. — 13 days ago

Jenn

9.2

Very nice and truly enjoyed. — 2 months ago

Stuart Pollack

9.6

Amazing. Elegant and silky Pinot Noir with such delicious red fruit. Earth and spice combined with red fruit. Buy and drink now if you can find it.
— 3 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.3

Roasted pineapple, hazelnut, and a hint of citrus delivers a rebound of acidity within a rich palate. Creamy and broad with well integrated oak. — 5 months ago

with Angelina

"Odedi"

9.1

Pretty color of ruby with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red and blue fruits with light wood, herbs, light vegetables, spices and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blueberries, plums, cherries, earth, peppercorn, dark chocolates, herbs and light vegetables.

This 6 year old Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley is drinking very nicely now. Fruit forward, rich and nicely balanced. Complex and entertaining. Elegant and tangy.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets earthier as it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

I had this vintage 3 years ago, and decided to let it age a bit longer, and it is drinking so much better now.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 10 months in (35% new) French Oak barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — 8 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark ruby. Abundant nose of black cherry and medium black tea in a wooden bowl. Echoed on the silky smooth, medium full palate which adds medium acidity and a hint of black pepper. "Barely there" medium minus tannins round it all out making a classic premium California PN with just enough "stuff" for New World fare (like some weird salmon in cream sauce dish). Drink now. — 3 years ago

Matt Richards

9.0

I think it because more balanced over time, so I'd recommend holding or decanting if drinking in the next year. — 5 years 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. — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

Young and fresh but showing many of the Dolinsek’s traditional traits: a big nose of blue and black fruits followed by a fruit forward wine of the same. It’s got bright acidity and firm tannins with a hint of black olive and pepper deeper in the wine. Drinking well now with loads of potential. — 2 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.3

Perfectly balanced, no browning on the edges, long finish — 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. — 6 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

Black tea and cherry with a touch of smoke. — 9 months ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Mix of dark raspberry with hint of strawberry on the nose. Bit is sweetness and slight vanilla. — 3 years ago

Robert Brown

9.1

One of the best as of late. Eggplant parm, pared perfectly. — 3 years ago

with Cynthia