2019 Ledson Winery & Vineyards Dutton Ranch Chardonnay
The Winery
Photo from Ledson Winery website
The story begins in England in 1896 and is detailed on the website https://ledson.com/discover-ledson/history/ . It is a tale of hard work, family ties and a desire to do more for the community. Steve Ledson’s history is both unique and common—unique with background and successful venture and common with family ties. His demeanor and casual manner bespeaks volumes.
The Castle is the official tasting room of Ledson Winery and the architecture and construction alone are worth the visit! Ledson Winery offers the largest premium wine portfolio of any family owned winery in the United States. Today their offering numbers more than 70 wines annually! More information on Ledson Winery can be found at:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Picked up this wine back in May of 2022 with a great visit to Ledson Winery with friends and hosted by the knowledgeable and always energetic Jerry Padilla.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
First on the eyes, a bright light straw coloring and medium viscosity. On the nose the wine came alive with aromas of honeysuckle and poached pear. On the palate, honeydew melon, almond and apple swirled about and delivered a spectacularly refreshing and full filling Chardonnay. On the finish, a light buttery flavor and minerality lingered with the rich creaminess of the wine.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Only 365 cases were produced of this Chardonnay and was kept in both stainless steel drums and 75% French neutral oak and 25% new French oak for 10 months. The price was $58/bottle. Today they have various other award winning Chardonnay wines but not the Dutton Vineyards. This wine was rated 94 points and received a Platinum Medal at the 2021 Winemaker Challenge in San Diego. This also just made my Best Wines Tasted in 2023 and will again in 2024. The listing comes out annually each December.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
With the sixth day of triple digit heat, always looking for something cool and refreshing and not warming up the house with any further cooking! Tonight it was large prawns with a cocktail sauce with additional horseradish for good measure. Accompanied by an artichoke and a couple of slices of fresh sourdough bread. Also a pre-packaged Asian style chopped salad with mix chopped vegetables, white meat chicken, fire-roasted edamame, crispy wonton strips, almonds and sunflower kernels with sesame ginger miso dressing. The wine was absolutely delicious with each bite of the prawns and the salad. Cool and refreshing is the mantra with triple digit heat staying with us for another seven days per the forecast.
Sláinte,
Michael