# Dutton Ranch Chardonnay (2022)

- **Producer:** Patz & Hall
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €41
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blossom, apple, pear, lemon, lime, pineapple, peach, butter, cream, toast, brioche, vanilla, cloves, honey, almond, hazelnut, nutmeg

## About this wine

Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by James Hall and Donald Patz, establishing itself as a pioneer of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Sonoma County. The Dutton Ranch bottling represents a cornerstone of their portfolio, sourced from the legendary Dutton family holdings in the cool Green Valley sub-region of the Russian River Valley. Farmed since the late 1960s, these vineyards are planted on Goldridge sandy loam soils, which naturally restrict yields and promote concentration. In 2024, founding winemaker James Hall led a historic repurchase of the winery, returning Patz & Hall to independent family ownership and securing its legacy of artisanal, site-specific winemaking.

## Interesting facts

- Dutton Ranch has been farmed by the Dutton family since the late 1960s, pioneering cool-climate viticulture in Sonoma.
- In 2024, founding winemaker James Hall successfully repurchased Patz & Hall, returning the historic estate to independent hands.
- The wine is crafted from a unique blend of classic California heritage clones, including Hyde-Wente and Robert Young.

## Food pairing

This full-bodied, textured Chardonnay demands dishes with matching weight and richness. The wine's high acidity cuts through decadent fats like butter and cream, while its subtle oak spices complement roasted poultry and caramelized seafood. The creamy texture from malolactic fermentation and lees stirring mirrors the mouthfeel of rich sauces and soft cheeses, creating a harmonious, luxurious pairing experience.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for the Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is designed to emphasize texture and complexity. Grapes are 100% hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed to ensure gentle juice extraction. Fermentation is carried out entirely in French oak barrels using 100% indigenous yeast strains. The wine undergoes complete (100%) malolactic fermentation in barrel to soften the high natural acidity. It is aged for 17 months sur lie with weekly stirring (bâtonnage) in Burgundian French oak barrels, of which 29% are new. This extended lees contact and careful oak integration contribute to the wine's rich mouthfeel and structural integrity.