Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch 2023 750ml

Product Info

93pts Wine Advocate
The 2023 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch has bright aromas of poached pears, apricot, panna cotta, oystershell and well-integrated spice from its 17-month maturation in 29% new French oak. The full-bodied palate has a silky texture and pure, concentrated stone fruit flavors. It’s balanced by bright, refreshing acidity and has a long, elegant finish. Drink Date: 2025 – 2035 Published: Oct 16, 2025 Reviewed by: Erin Brooks

Terroir
The 2023 vintage of Patz & Hall Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is a pure expression of Sonoma Coast’s cool-climate character, drawn primarily from the legendary Dutton Ranch, one of the most storied vineyard sites in California. Located in the Russian River Valley AVA, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard’s rolling hills are cooled by daily coastal fog, allowing Chardonnay grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The soils are a mix of Goldridge fine sandy loam—a hallmark of the region—providing excellent drainage and moderate fertility that encourages small berries with concentrated flavors. The 2023 growing season was marked by a long, temperate summer, allowing for gradual flavor development and pristine acidity. These ideal conditions produced fruit of remarkable precision, capturing both the ripeness and the minerality that have made Dutton Ranch a benchmark for California Chardonnay.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Patz & Hall has always been guided by a Burgundian philosophy of small-lot, hands-on craftsmanship, and the 2023 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay reflects that ethos perfectly. Grapes were hand-harvested at night to preserve freshness, then whole-cluster pressed for delicate juice extraction. Fermentation took place in 100% Burgundian French oak barrels, 35% of which were new, from esteemed coopers such as François Frères and Damy. The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation, softening the edges of its vivid acidity and layering it with richness and texture. Extended sur lie aging for eight months, with regular bâtonnage (lees stirring), built a creamy mid-palate and added dimension. The finished alcohol rests at 14.5%, typical for Dutton Ranch fruit, yet the overall balance remains refined and energetic. Winemaker James Hall’s meticulous blending emphasizes precision and texture over power, showcasing the vineyard’s natural brightness and layered complexity.

Tasting Notes
The 2023 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay pours a glistening pale gold in the glass, immediately evoking freshness and energy. Aromas unfurl slowly, revealing ripe white peach, Meyer lemon, and Asian pear, followed by delicate notes of orange blossom, crushed oyster shell, and toasted hazelnut. As the wine opens, deeper nuances of brioche, vanilla cream, and chamomile add warmth and depth. On the palate, the texture is beautifully balanced—silky and expansive yet underpinned by a fine thread of acidity that brings tension and lift. Flavors of lemon curd, baked apple, and grilled pineapple glide across the tongue, accented by subtle oak spice and a whisper of minerality. The finish is long, polished, and vibrant, echoing with hints of buttered almond, sea spray, and citrus zest. It’s a classic Dutton Ranch Chardonnay: elegant, complex, and distinctly coastal in character.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve this Chardonnay at 50–54 °F (10–12 °C) in a generously shaped Burgundy glass to allow its layered aromatics to bloom. The 2023 Dutton Ranch pairs beautifully with a range of refined yet comforting dishes — think Dungeness crab cakes with lemon aioli, roast chicken with morel cream sauce, or seared halibut with beurre blanc. Its interplay of brightness and texture also complements lobster risotto, sweet corn ravioli with sage butter, or truffle-infused polenta with wild mushrooms. For cheese lovers, Brillat-Savarin or aged Gruyère highlight its creamy depth. Though utterly inviting now, this wine will continue to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years, developing richer honeyed tones while maintaining its trademark Sonoma vibrancy.