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Dutton Ranch's Freestone Hill Vineyard was the pioneering outpost of the now coveted Salmon Creek viticultural neighborhood. Located in the extreme southwest corner of the Russian River appellation, and on the coastal side of the Petaluma wind gap, this area is right at the climatic margin for ripening grapes. The extremely cool 2006 growing season brought out the wildness and fresh berry character that are so much a part of the Freestone Hill personality. This is a wine that is packed with flavor and opulence while still retaining its liveliness and balance. In the nose, it pops with black cherry, wild strawberry and sandalwood, and continues to come on the longer it sits in the glass. In the mouth, it's like an infusion of juicy blackberry, fresh cherries and sweet Asian spices, but is truly defined by its extraordinary balance of lively fruit, well resolved tannins and fresh acidity. This is a wine that shows beautifully now because of the fine tannins, but its wonderful balance clearly makes it a wine built to age. This is also a wine for food--anything from aged hard cheeses, to quail and mushroom dishes, to a fine steak done on the grill. 403 cases produced. 94 points, Wine Enthusiast.
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