Patz & Hall Chardonnay Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch 2006

Patz & Hall and their partners create impressive Burgundian styled Chards and Pinots that balance elegant acidity with sophisticated fruit. This 2006 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay lifts you with its aromas of lush tropical fruit, and complex range of beautiful smoky and citrus flavors. Compared to many other 'hard to find costly label' Chardonnays in this premium category, and at about $35.00 this wine is a find. What makes this wine so great is that it's fresh, distinct and truly expressive.

90 points. The nose on this wine is slightly smoky, with a faint nuttiness, with a touch of tropical fruit and flowers. There is quite a bit of mango and a nice buttery, toasted component around the edges. The initial impact of this wine is sweetly ripe and creamy. The first thing I notice about this wine is its refinement. It’s smooth and delicate at once, while showing tons of tropical fruit, spiced butter, and a very faint nuttiness. This is a fuller bodied example of Chardonnay, and its weight is almost heavy, but the intensity of its fruit components give it a sense of gracefulness. Overall, this is a well done wine, with an impressive finish that lasts for quite some time. It’s a solid buy for the price, and although there are probably other Chardonnays that could easily compete at this quality and price level, this would be a sound purchase to make when your looking for a dependable Chardonnay. Not too heavily oaked or too fruity, this is a well made wine, and one that would be worth buying. Source: What's Worth Drinking: Post #32: Russian River Valley Chardonnay ( http://whatsworthdrinking.com/2010/06/24/post-32-russian-river-valley-chardonnay/ )