2011 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Emerald Ridge Pinot Noir

Dutton Goldfield is in Sebastopol, California. It was founded in 1998 when Steve Dutton, a fifth-generation California farmer, and Dan Goldfield, a research chemist who later earned an enology degree at U.C. Davis, decided to make Pinot Noir. Today the estate includes some 80 separate vineyards in the western Russian River Valley. The estate specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though it also makes small amounts of Syrah and Zinfandel.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.