Norman

9.4

How can you not enjoy these? — a month ago

Ed Chin

9.3

Big polished and showing a hint of heat. Happily the oak isn’t too pronounced. For me this baby needs time. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Deep purple in color with a wide purplish rim.

Strong nose of red and purple fruits with light wood, spices, chocolates, herbs, black pepper and light earth.

Dry on the palate with sweet cherries, blueberries, black currants, light oak, chocolates, earth, spices, black pepper, tobacco leaf and dark coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Single Vineyard Zinfandel from Alexander Valley in California. Fruit forward and elegant. Rich and nicely balanced, complex and entertaining. Alcohol is nicely integrated by now.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 88% Zinfandel and 12% Petite Sirah, from old vines. Aged in (10% new) French Oak barrels for 15 months.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$55. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.5

+1 hour decant(lots of fine/cloudy sediment). A splendid still inky dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: expressive notes of dark red fruit, currants, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, scorched earth, nutmeg. Taste: silky, layered, rich wine with ripe blackberry/blueberry, earth, baking spice, chocolate, and a long minerally espresso never-ending finish. YUM!! — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Dave

9.3

Found it! This is a light-handed Zin, and very delicious. Thanks for the recommendation! @Doug Powers @Anthony De Blasi
Listening to a little Depeche Mode!! — 3 months ago

Gregg Siegal

9.2

A gift from a friend, this is lovely, with a bit of tobacco on the nose and lively cherry and strawberry flavors on the palate. The finish goes on and on. — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful, structured with red & black fruits, currant, cedar, spice & tobacco — 5 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Medium deep garnet ruby with a narrow garnet rim . Dusty grafite , cedar and cassis , currants , oyster shell , quite deep and classic . On the palate this is quite dense and tannic still , deep dark cassis , herbal tinged cedar and very grafite tinged on the finish . Fresh acidity , but still good mid palate richness and even though the tannins are quite dry and grippy , this is well balanced and relatively generous . Good length on the classic grafite , oyster shell tinged finish. This didn’t need a lot of decanting time to show well , though it certainly changes and improves with time in the glass . Classic in style , but still quite generous for Latour , this is just reaching its drinking window , will continue at this level for another 5-10 years at least and probably more. — 10 hours ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This was showing beautifully with good richness, balance, red & black fruits, earth, spice box, cedar, leather & tobacco notes — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

The Calling “Dutton Ranch” Chardonnay 2023
Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A very expressive and generously styled Chardonnay sourced from the legendary Dutton Ranch vineyards, one of Sonoma’s most respected grower sites. The Calling crafts this bottling with a fruit-driven and naturally energetic personality, allowing the vineyard character to shine through without excessive winemaking manipulation. A Russian River Chardonnay that leans vibrant and mouthwatering rather than overly buttery or heavy.

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy tangerine, lemon curd, Honeycrisp apple, and ripe pear immediately jump from the glass. As the wine opens, layers of lemon verbena, ginger, citrus zest, jasmine, and subtle green tea nuances begin to unfold, adding complexity and freshness to the profile.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a rounded yet energetic texture. Bright acidity keeps the wine lively and refreshing while the fruit concentration gives it a generous California richness. The finish is persistent, citrus-driven, and beautifully mouthwatering.

Food Pairings
Excellent with roasted chicken, buttery seafood dishes, crab cakes, grilled salmon, creamy risotto, or triple cream cheeses.

Verdict
A compelling Russian River Chardonnay that balances generosity and freshness extremely well. The Dutton Ranch fruit gives this wine a very polished and expressive character while still maintaining tension and precision. Rich enough for California Chardonnay lovers, yet vibrant enough to remain highly approachable.

Did You Know?
Dutton Ranch is one of Sonoma’s most iconic multigenerational vineyard sources, supplying grapes to numerous top-tier California producers. Their cool-climate Russian River fruit is especially prized for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thanks to the region’s fog influence and long growing season.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the type of Chardonnay that reminds you why Russian River Valley became world famous for the style in the first place. Expressive, mouthwatering, and dangerously easy to revisit glass after glass. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Jenn

9.2

Very nice and truly enjoyed. — 3 months ago

Daniel Akers

9.3

Like a fine burgundy, delicious — 4 months ago

romo

9.2

A bit of the old house style, not as focused as the recent 2013. Still a reference in balance for CA. — 4 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.3

Perfectly balanced, no browning on the edges, long finish — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1/2 hour decant(decent fine sediment). A striking dark ruby red with bricking. On the nose: Captivating notes of dark fruit, forest floor, worn leather, mushroom, cigar, smoked meat, some bandaid(brett). Taste: silky, classic, elegant wine with dried red berries, currants, tobacco, saline, minerals and a cedar graphite long dry finish. YUM! What a thrill to drink tonight! — 3 days ago

with Brenda

Brandon Boesch

9.7

2009 at Caruso’s in Montecito. So freaking good. Well balanced. Dark fruit, some hints of pepper, cedar, more fruit, there’s also a freshness of herbs and lighter fruit that was lovely. Had with steak and beets in like 6 different preparations. Perfect pairing. — a month ago

Paul J

9.2

PnP. Lovely dark purple color. A little hot on the nose with stewed cherries, rhubarb, and licorice. Same on the palate minus the OH. Good texture yet flavor fades some. Solid wine for the price. — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

This was great but not same level as prior bottles. Perhaps a slightly off cork ? Medium dark rubi robe, nose of blackcurrant, top soil and balsam with hints of cedar. Ever so slightly reticent tannins but overall great length and good complexity. Great now, but no rush. — 3 months ago

with Jose, veronique and 4 others

Andrew Cullimore

9.6

Slight younger looking , a little more ruby both in the core but still mostly garnet rim.
This is high toned slightly redder fruit , less dense than the preceding 3 . Cherry , red plum , cedar, seaspray . On the palate this is again quite elegant and refined , cherry , red plum some cassis , red plum , cigar box . Not overly weighty with perhaps a little less noticeable tannin than some of the others . Long vibrant , spicy grafite tinged finish . Very elegant , reserved and I suppose very Lafite , this grows during the experience but was actually voted in last place by the group , that somehow doesn’t surprise me, at the end of the day one wine did have to come last, and this was relatively discreet only showing its real breeding and class with time in the glass. Needs time , but is very promising , probably another 5-10 years (as with almost all the others ) , will last well a further 20 if not more . The elegance and style of this wine is fantastic , this really grows in the glass . Had to be Lafite for me . Bronze medal here . — 3 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Still youthful showing red & black fruits, cedar, leather, graphite, spice & tobacco — 5 months ago