2021 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch
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Tasting notes
You can feel the skins from the grapes, with an apple skin, pear and light pineapple character and texture. It’s full and layered with a sense of muscle and form. Creme caramel and flan notes. Snappy at the end. Give it three or four years to come around.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch comes across as a bit tight in this tasting. Bright citrus peel, crushed rocks, minerals and salt notes lend a quite appealing freshness and vibrancy. At the same time, the 2022 has a lot to offer, for those who can wait. Today, though, it feels just a bit slender. (AG)
Fermented and aged in 38% new oak, 62% neutral. Ambient yeasts. No filtering or fining. 887 cases made. Tasted blind. Medium, verging on deep gold in colour. Quite developed, with a bit of petrol, copper and hay on the nose, as well as ripe yellow apple and lemon. Ripe and very toasty on the palate, with some bitter char. Moderate acidity with lots of tang. The finish falls apart – too old? I don't think this bottle was entirely sound. (SCJ)
The 2021 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is the most accessible wine in this flight of Chardonnays. Tropical accents meld into orange confit, hazelnut, butter and sweet spice. The flavors are pretty intense, and yet the 2021 remains wonderfully light on its feet, with pretty floral top notes that add tons of charm and sheer appeal. (AG)
About the producer
Kistler’s Chardonnays are some of the world’s most sought-after. This cult Californian producer crafts small volumes of exceptional, rich and generous, yet mineral and precise wines. With almost the entire production sold directly to their mailing list, the wines are also incredibly hard to find.