($40): The most striking aspect of this Pinot Noir is its difference from Sonoma Loeb’s Bateman Ranch bottling.  Why extol the differences?  Because Pinot Noir is the best red grape for expressing the vineyard and these two wines — Dutton Ranch and Bateman Ranch — do just that.  Although both vineyards are within Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, the Pinot Noir from Dutton Ranch is riper, more opulent and fruit focused than the one from Bateman.  Savory notes emerge and balance the darker black fruit flavors. Tannins are suave, making it a good choice for current drinking or over the next couple of years.
93 Michael Apstein Aug 22, 2017