Dutton-Goldfield Chardonnay Rued Vineyard 2016

The long 2016 season gave our Rued Chardonnay even more effusive aromatics, along with the perfect balance of zesty and creamy that we love in this wine. Exotic lychee, always a hallmark of this wine, leads the nose, underlain with orange blossom, Asian pear compote, a hint of butterscotch, and a side of citrus. The mouth is totally mouth-coating and enveloping yet still light on its feet, with an acid focus in the middle that keeps the wine bright. There’s always a phenolic element in this wine that lures in even dedicated red wine only drinkers, showing itself in the dusky tannins that give the wine extra weight. The long, beautiful finish sings with caramel crème bruleé.

Lush and forward, this is a wine to drink now with scallop and crab dishes, or fresh creamy cheeses to match the texture and counterpoint the brightness.