Dutton-Goldfield, Green Valley of Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Chardonnay 2017

 Warren Dutton, the renowned Sonoma County grape-growing farmer who tragically died in 2001, planted this Chardonnay in this vineyard in the late 1960s.  Steve Dutton, his son, is now responsible for the farming, while Dan Goldfield takes care of the winemaking.  Dutton-Goldfield makes two easy-to-recommend Chardonnays, this one and one from the Dutton Ranch Walker Hill Vineyard.  They are wonderfully different despite similar winemaking and demonstrate that the concept of terroir is alive and well in California.  This one delivers a subtle richness accented by lively citrus-infused flavors.  Lively and seamless, it weighs in at a modest — these days — 13.8 percent stated alcohol.