2008 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch (2,257 cases) displays projected notes of tropical fruit, honeysuckle, white peach and brioche. Medium to full-bodied, with subtle wood, as well as loads of texture and elegant, authoritative flavors, this is a pretty, stylish Chardonnay to drink over the next 1-2 years. One of the most reliable negociant firms in all of California is that of Patz and Hall, as the following tasting notes demonstrate. They are spot-on across the board with their generic as well as single-vineyard wines. There is no doubt they have been accessing some of the best single-vineyard sites in California for nearly as long as I have been writing about wine. Patz and Hall now produce eight separate Pinot Noirs, which would make them feel at home working in the Cote d-Or, where most vignerons have at least a half dozen different offerings. Tel. (877) 265-6700
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright yellow. Pure aromas and flavors of apple, peach and pineapple, with enticing floral lift. A step up in intensity from the Sonoma Coast bottling, showing a supple texture and attractive sweetness. Broader and longer on the back end, finishing classically dry but with good subtle fruit flavors.