Redwood Ridge Vineyard
Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield have collaborated in making some of the Russian River’s finest wines since 1998. The source of most of their fruit is the Dutton Ranch in Sonoma County’s Green Valley. However, they also source fruit from special vineyards elsewhere in Northern California. In this article, we review 2021 vintage Pinot Noirs from some of these vineyards in Mendocino’s Anderson Valley, Marin County, Sonoma Mountain, and the West Sonoma Coast. These are unique sites, surrounded by redwoods or on top of mountains or close to the cool Pacific, and the wines are all very special as well in the excellent 2021 vintage and especially with Dan’s meticulous, restrained winemaking.
The Wines
Dutton Goldfield 2021 Pinot Noir Angel Camp Vineyard Anderson Valley ($74) 94 Medium dark red in color, this Pinot Noir comes from the cool, far west end of Anderson Valley. Deep fruit aromas of dark cherry and plum combined with a hint of wild herbs and Redwood dust spring forth from the glass and are picked up again on the supple, rich, and concentrated palate. Finishes on a pure, vibrant note with gracious tannins. Planted to Dijon and Heritage clones, the 11.5 acre Angel Camp Vineyard farmed by Brian Zalaznick is located west of Philo on a slope above the Navarro River. Aged 17 months in 40% new French oak. pH 3.56, 14.1% alc.
Dutton Goldfield 2021 Pinot Noir Devil’s Gulch Vineyard Old Guys Block Marin County ($100) 94 Medium ruby red. Opens on a floral, fruity note of rose petals and dark cherry. Refined and very flavorful in the mouth with a broad mid-palate, very long rich finish, and round, firm tannins. Farmed by Mark Pasternak, the Devil’s Gulch Vineyard is located just off Point Reyes National Seashore; the Old Guys block is the original 1982 planting. 14.1% alc.
Dutton Goldfield 2021 Pinot Noir Redwood Ridge Sonoma Coast ($74) 94 Translucent, pure carmen red color. This Pinot Noir opens with fresh and pure red fruit and woodsy scents that evoke the cool, Redwood forests that surround this West Sonoma Coast vineyard. The attack is pure and silky, with a melange of dark cherry and notes of bramble and spice. Super fresh with perfect acidity and a delight to drink. Sourced from a hillside vineyard (Putnam) at about 500? located near Annapolis at the fog line and surrounded by Redwoods. Aged 21 months in 41% new French oak. pH 3.49, 14.1% alc.
Dutton Goldfield 2021 Pinot Noir Van Der Kamp Vineyard Sonoma Mountain ($74) 95 Van Der Kamp is one of California’s most distinctive, special Pinot Noir vineyards. Planted in 1952 at 1500? on a north-facing site at the top of Sonoma Mountain, no other vineyard can quite compare. Medium ruby red in color, the nose shows red berries, cherries, and a note of savory herbs. Balanced with bright acidity, the palate is full and firm with complex flavors of red fruit complemented by underbrush and soil notes, finishing with excellent length. Aged 17 months in 50% new French oak. pH 3.54, 14.1% alc.
Dutton Goldfield 2019 Syrah Dutton Ranch Cherry Ridge Vineyard Russian River Valley ($50) 93 Opaque purple ruby. Aromatically complex with notes of dark berries and cherries, black pepper, lavender, stewed meat, and even a hint of kirsch. It’s big and chewy with dense flavors on a broad, mouth filling palate finishing with dry tannins and lingering rich flavors. Sourced from a ridge top vineyard located on the west side of the Green Valley, Cherry Ridge is planted to clones 470, 383 and 877. Open top fermented and matured 21 months in 40% new French oak. pH 3.63, 14.1% alc.
Dutton Goldfield 2021 Zinfandel Dutton Ranch Morelli Lane Vineyard Russian River Valley ($55) 92 This dry farmed, head-trained, old vine (100+ years old!) Zinfandel comes from a unique hilltop site overlooking the town of Occidental. While not far from the sea, its hilltop location allows the Zinfandel to slowly and fully ripen. Dark ruby in color, aromas of spice, red fruit compote, and underbrush give way to a soft, fruity attack of red/dark red berries with herbal inflections and a dry finish. Matured 17 months in 40% new French oak. pH 3.46, 14.5% alc. This 1.8 acre parcel of head trained, dry farmed, old vine Zinfandel is located on a ridge top just north of Occidental. 14.5% alc.
