Review: Dutcher Crossing 2019 Chenoweth Vineyard Chardonnay and 2018 Maple Vineyard Zinfandel

By Robert Lublin | January 5, 2022 |

We’ve tried Dutcher Crossing before, but not everything from this smaller, Sonoma based producer, which offers a range of wines from various vineyards. This is our first experience with Dutcher’s Chardonnays (they produce several, often highlighting grapes drawn from single vineyards) as well as one of their Zinfandels.

2019 Dutcher Crossing Chenoweth Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay – This is a great example of Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley region, hitting on all cylinders. It pours golden yellow in color and offers notes of fresh butter, golden delicious apple, and a touch of lemon on the nose. On the palate it really comes alive, hitting first with bright acidity followed by juicy lemon, pear, honeysuckle, and gentle, oaky butter, all coupled with a creamy mouthfeel. Light, golden delicious apple follows along with a touch of black pepper, and minerality enters on the medium to long finish. This is a flavorful, complex wine that demonstrates a great balance between notes of fruit, acidity, and oak. For fans of California Chardonnay, it’s a winner. A- / $45

2018 Dutcher Crossing Maple Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel – 91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah. This is a bold glass of red wine. Inky purple, almost black in the glass, Dutcher’s Maple Vineyard Zinfandel is fleshy and fruity on the nose, exuding raspberry and blueberry pie notes, including a touch of nutmeg and clove. The palate follows suit, fairly exploding with fruit, including plum, blueberry, and blackberry. Nutmeg and cinnamon appear mid-palate offering nice complexity, and the wine finishes with light, drying tannins and bittersweet chocolate. Big yet complex, this Zinfandel is surprisingly approachable for a wine that has so much going on. A / $50