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Our super secret 2018 Devil's Gulch Chardonnay is released

September 17, 2020 15:21

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The Other Wine from Devil's Gulch

If you're like most Dutton-Goldfield fans, you're a fan of Mark Pasternak's Devil's Gulch Pinot. Dan's been making Pinot from Mark's Marin vineyard since the early 1990s, and we've made it as a DG single-vineyard bottling since the 2000 vintage. What's been more secret, though, is that for the past few years, we've also been getting Mark's Chardonnay grapes, and making a still wine (plus some bubbly that may eventually get bottled and released...but that's a story for another day). Most years, we've produced only a tiny amount, so it's been the stealth wine, slipping out to those in the know. For the 2018 vintage, we didn't set any aside for our phantom bubbly, so we finally have enough to release to everyone.

The super-cold Marin coast gives us Chardonnay grapes with great focus and wild fruit intensity. We further highlight that by fermenting part of the wine in stainless steel, and part in older oak barrels to let the fruit shine. Asian pear, Meyer lemon, and guava in the nose give way to ginger-laced Mandarin orange and key lime in the mouth. Succulent and fresh, this is destined to become your favorite alongside its Pinot sibling!

2018 Devil's Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay
$55

In the Winery: Harvest... Partially

What a strange harvest season it's been. As we told you in our last email, the fires near us had thankfully gotten under control, and we were bringing in some fruit that was ripe and ready to come in, while we tested berries from other sites that were still several weeks away from harvesting. Sadly, we've gotten results from several vineyards now which showed elevated levels of smoke exposure, so we're not able to pick these grapes to make our wines. It seems that red grapes are more susceptible, and red wines are made by extracting flavor and color from the skins where the smoke and ash have had contact, so we'll likely have a fairly reduced offering of 2020 red wines for you. Whatever we do make will all be wines that we love and know you will, too.


Jentoft Pinot	Rued Chardonnay

The good news is that white grapes appear to be less impacted, plus the skin isn't utilized for white winemaking; instead, you press the juice out from the berries right away when the grapes are received. We're further mitigating any potential issues by being very gentle and only lightly pressing the juice from the berries. Since this was an early starting harvest, we're nearing the end of our fruit still on the vine. Stay tuned for another update in a few weeks, or follow us on Facebook or Instragram for more frequent updates.

Speaking of Instagram...check out Dan's IG Live Interview

Our friends from Humble Grape in the UK recently interviewed Dan for an Instagram Live winemaker chat. Check it out here.

Want to connect with us from afar? We have one more upcoming Virtual Tasting currently scheduled, or you can create your own.

Cool Runnings with DG Chardonnays
September 18 at 4pm PST
We think our cool climate Chardonnays are some of the best produced (yes, we are a bit biased). Join us as we taste our three single-vineyard Chardonnays: the fifty-one-year-old Rued Vineyard, our classic Walker Hill, and from Marin County, Devil’s Gulch. We’ll supply the wine, you bring the oysters. Reserve your space | Buy package.

Create Your Own Custom Virtual Tasting
Have a business meeting you need to replace with something virtual and fun? Or a wine group who would like to dive deep into a varietal or region? Or just a group of wine fans who'd like to connect over a tasting? We'd love to help you put together a Virtual Tasting with the wines of your choice. Email us to make a plan!

In the News: Latest Press

From Wine Enthusiast:
2019 Shop Block Pinot Blanc - 94 points
2018 Chileno Valley Vineyard Riesling - 92 points & Editors' Choice
2019 Rosé of Pinot Noir - 91 points

From Wine Spectator:
2017 Emerald Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir - 92 points
2017 Freestone Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir - 91 points

From Vinography:
2017 Angel Camp Vineyard Pinot Noir - 9
2017 Emerald Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir - between 8.5 and 9
2017 Docker Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir - between 8.5 and 9
2017 Deviate Pinot Noir - 8.5

From Restaurant Wine:
2018 Chileno Valley Vineyard Riesling - 4+ stars

You Deserve a Treat! Become a member today.

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