BBQ Tonight? Let the Evening Sizzle with Dutton Goldfield Wines!

‘Tis the season to gather your friends, fire up the grill, and enjoy a smokin’ hot barbeque! If you’re like me, you crave the aromas and flavors of chicken, steak, shish kabobs, marinated vegetables, fresh seafood, and just about anything else when cooked to perfection over those hot coals. But what else do I love? You’ve probably guessed: I treasure a good (and I mean *good*) glass of wine for pairing.

Not too long ago, I was sent five wines (as samples) from Dutton Goldfield Winery, located in Sebastopol, California. Founded in 1998 by Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield, these friends and colleagues realized that they share a vision: “to craft wines that express the personalities of their vineyards and that they’d enjoy drinking at their own dinner tables”.

 

Wines from Dutton Goldfield Winery are sourced from grapes cultivated in premium vineyards in the Russian River Valley AVA (American Viticultural Appellation); most are from Dutton Ranch owned by Partner/Grower, Steve Dutton. The Dutton Ranch includes over eighty distinctive, individual vineyards found in the coolest areas of the Russian River Valley, predominantly in the Green Valley sub-appellation. Defined by a cool coastal climate, the Dutton Goldfield wines that I tasted offered bright fruit elements, complexity, structure, and balance. Food friendly and incredibly smooth from the first sip to the last, each wine reviewed below most assuredly has a prominent place on Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield’s table (and in their wine glass).

 

Now, these stunning wines can grace your table, too. Light up the grill, pour these wines, and welcome an evening sure to sizzle!

Dutton Goldfield Rued Vineyard Chardonnay 2015 ($55) – In 1969, Warren Dutton planted a pastoral Chardonnay vineyard on an east-facing hillside in the Green Valley. Originally budded as Old Wente selection, over half of the wood he received was a “chardonnay musque” selection that produces wines with intense fruit and floral aromas and a rich mouthfeel. This specific selection can be found in a multitude of California vineyards and is now referred to as the “Rued Clone”. For the record, it’s not a “clone” per se, but a field selection propagated from preferred vineyard cuttings instead of a single shoot in the nursery. The old vines, planted on the sandy soil of the Rued Vineyard on the Dutton property, are dry farmed.

With beautiful aromas of bright citrus, a gentle sea breeze, touch of minerality, apricots, and brioche, I knew that this wine would be exceptional with grilled lobster dipped in butter or drizzled with a cream sauce. On the palate, I explored notes of tropical and orchard fruit, yellow flowers, toast, and toffee, all lifted by mouthwatering acidity and a velvet-like mouthfeel. The finish, with its zing of lime and citrus, lingered… This unfiltered Chardonnay was aged for 15 months in French oak barrels after 100% barrel fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation.

Dutton Goldfield Dutton Ranch-Emerald Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 ($62) – If Pinot Noir from Green Valley is characterized by a foundation of rich berry fruit, acidity, and structure, then this example should be on the poster! The Emerald Ridge vineyard is planted on an east-facing knoll in the center of Green Valley where Steve Dutton planted various Pinot clonal blocks on sandy loam soil. Three clones that offered particular nuances were used.

Notes of raspberries, baking spices, just-picked cherries, and sweet strawberries provided a tempting bouquet. Following on the palate were flavors of cinnamon, cloves, spice, and wood framed with bright acidity and soft tannins. Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, the Pinot Noir was complex, structured, and a luscious complement to grilled swordfish.

Dutton Goldfield Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 ($62) – Situated atop of Stetz Ridge, located at the western edge of Green Valley and slightly north of Occidental, the Fox Den Vineyard has extremely sandy loam due to the fact that the ridge itself is “pushed-up” sea bottom. As a result, low-vigor vines produce grapes that are slow in ripening and exude striking floral and fruit notes in the glass.

I shared this wine with friends who appreciated each sip paired with octopus and arctic char, both lightly grilled. Enticing aromas of red fruit, sweet cherries, vanilla, spice, and a hint of smoke were mesmerizing. Ripe strawberries, pomegranate, cherries, herbs, and eucalyptus were just a few flavors we explored as we basked in the glow of the wine’s lengthy finish. A bonus? Natural acidity and integrated tannins surrounded the deep, broad, and satisfying palate profile. This Pinot Noir was aged for 16 months in French oak barrels.

Dutton Goldfield Dutton Ranch – Freestone Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 ($72) – The Freestone Hill Vineyard is located in the far southwest corner of the Russian River Valley appellation. By all accounts, it’s the “climatic margin” for ripening grapes, since it’s found on the coastal side of the Petaluma wine gap. The fog rolls through the area in the morning and dissipates late; more often than not, fruit from the vines presents plenty of concentration.

Pinot Noir lovers might just find their new go-to wine with each pour. On the nose, black cherries, ripe raspberries, juicy blackberries, vanilla, and exotic spice were intriguing aromas. The flavors? Classically elegant and balanced, soft tannins and bright acidity enveloped notes of dark raspberries, baking spice, and thyme. As you may expect, the finish provoked that relaxed “ahhhhhh” feeling. Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, complement a grilled flatbread with mushrooms and cheese or marinated vegetables grilled on a skewer with this fruit-forward and spicy Pinot Noir.

Dutton Goldfield Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah 2014 ($50) – Syrah?? It’s true. The Cherry Ridge Vineyard is known as “warm spot in a cold area” with its location on the west side of Green Valley and north of the Petaluma Wind Gap. Found on a south facing slope at the top of the ridge, the weather is temperate enough to ripen the Syrah grapes planted on only three acres.

Deep, rich aromas of dark red and black fruit, pepper, tobacco, smoke, and just a hint of vanilla were intense. Complex and structured, I discovered notes of ripe blackberries, spice, and bacon bolstered by gripping tannins and intense acidity. Aged for 20 months in French oak, you may want to pair this bold Syrah with your favorite cut of steak grilled just the way you love it.

Cheers! ~ Cindy