2016 Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch Freestone Hill Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (14) Avg Score: 91.3 points

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  12/30/2022 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine:

  Third of three. When I popped my first of these a little under 2 years ago, I noted the intense acidity out of the bottle, which I really enjoyed, although I suspected that for many others, it wouldn’t be their cup of tea, which balanced and largely integrated with 2 hours of air. Now, that integration is complete. This is, at this point, a very solid and enjoyable Pinot, in no way subject to the over confection which afflicts, IMO, so many CA wines of the varietal, but it also, for my palate, lacks the individuality and intensity of my first bottle. I don’t see further upside, and if anything, think my “drink by” date of 2025 is ambitious. Still very worthwhile both with the usual Pinot food matches and on its own. Would absolutely buy more of this vintage to drink now, or others from good vintages for the future, at my price point. 91-92 if scoring.

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  11/18/2022 - BoulderWine Likes this wine: 98 Points

  Wow! Amazing fruit and depth. This hit on all cylinders.

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  11/6/2022 - Gruffalius Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Good qpr at $30. Blueberries. Really opens up day 2. Delicious!

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  11/28/2021 - joet626 Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Fullbodied, black fruits. Liked it!

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  3/12/2021 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 92 Points

  First of 3 ($29.99) from the online wine clearinghouse. On the nose and palate, tangy red raspberries and strawberries, dry earth, (non-baking) spice and forest floor with piney notes. Dark purple, especially for a pinot, medium bodied, fuller legs. Brisk acidity, quite tannic for a pinot, no heat. Good intensity and persistence, medium complexity. This came out of the bottle all red-fruited angularity with a feral feel, closer to Beaune than the RRV, making me wonder if I was drinking the same wine as others noted in their TNs in the half glass I had. After a couple of hours and on subsequent nights, the wine became more consistent with what others noted, the fruit turning darker, with notes of blackberries and black cherries, with a juicier and more integrated quality. That said, I actually preferred it without the air, with an intense freshness and raciness rarely found in CA pinots. Still, even after the air, the wine had more than enough structure to hold its own, and the low abv--13.5% abv--made it quite friendly with fish and very good as a standalone. Likewise, the acidity and moderate alcohol should keep this wine on a good track for a number of years, particularly for those who prefer their pinots more integrated than I do. BigBaby is dead on that vintage in and vintage out, bottling in and bottling out, this winery is dead solid, and when you see their products on discount sites, you should grab them. 93 out of the bottle, 91-92 thereafter.

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View all 14 Community Tasting Notes

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