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

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. — 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

Paul J

9.4

Light gold color. Nose of lemons, oak, and ample coconut. Same on the palate. I would decant for 30 minutes as it’s very restrained. Good balance between acidity and creaminess. Medium finish. If this was dialed up 2-3x’s on flavor and depth it would be awesome. Similar to the Matthiasson Linda Vista Chard. Upgraded 1pt. after 45 mins as the air and temp is helping. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Monica Strazzante

9.0

Had this with trout and it was delicious! — 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

Louis Martin

9.0

Fruity citrus aroma, medium acidity, tart finish, similar in texture and flavor to a Sancerre, paired well with oysters and Mahi Mahi. — 3 months ago

Amanda Drazka

8.9

This California Chardonnay offers warm notes of butter with green apple and vanilla. It is full bodied with a long smooth finish. — 5 months ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.3

Happy New Year 🎊🎈 🥂🍾 — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Lemon gold color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits with citrus, sweet floral and complex spice, no MLF. On the palate flavors of ripe melon, pineapple, apricot and honeysuckle notes with lemon zest and biscuit notes, delicate, complex and well balanced, big and full Chardonnay. Long finish, savory, ending with mineral tones and fresh finish. Will age well. Outstanding! While I usually do not decant whites, this one will benefit to breathe a bit! — 10 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.1

Pretty good. Blend of Grenache Blanc, Picpoul and Viognier. Tasted a tad sweet. Tasty. — 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

Daniel Akers

9.3

Like a fine burgundy, delicious — 2 months ago

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. — 3 months ago

Todd Anderson

9.1

Drinking quite nicely at 8+ years — 5 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

romo

9.1

Kind of correct, surprisingly. Super-drinkable at maturity. — 8 months ago

Melissa Hunyadi

9.6

I’m getting citrus and fruity notes from this one. I am surprised I like this. It has a light body and is easy to drink. Yay — 2 years ago

with Kelsey

David Koenen

9.3

Fantastic showing. Hazelnut, ginger, pineapple and toast, brilliant balance. Impeccable midpalate followed by a persistent finish with brioche, orange blossom and whipped cream with lemony notes. At its peak. — 4 years ago