Houston Chronicle

Sommelier's pick: The Calling Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir - Houston ...
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FOOD & COOKING
Sommelier's pick: The Calling
Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir
By Dale Robertson | March 28, 2016
00
Photo: Gary Fountain, For The Chronicle
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Sommelier's pick: The Calling Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir - Houston ...
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/food/article/Sommelier-s-pic...
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A 2013 The Calling, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley. The Calling is a wine company co-owned by CBS' Jim Nantz.
This is the wine of choice for Scott Sulma, sommelier at Vallone's,.(For the Chronicle/Gary ... more
Who: Scott Sulma, general manager and partner with Vallone Restaurant Group
What: 2013 The Calling Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir
Why: Sulma has long been a fan of pinot noir made from Dutton Ranch grapes in the
Russian River Valley, so when he found out about this wine from Jim Nantz and Peter
Deutsch he was eager to pick it up. Although grapes from other vineyard sites flesh out the
blend, more Dutton Ranch fruit goes into The Calling than any other wine these days,
according to Deutsch. Says Sulma: "It has always been one of my favorite vineyard sites in
California, with such great history and acclaim. He adds that he was "blown away by the
value in the bottle. Bright, fresh and modern, the wine charms and surprises our guests
with its exceptional quality at such a great price point. It's easy to drink, being full of fruit
with a light acidity, and the tannins are just present enough to keep the wine in perfect
balance." Food pairings recommended by Sulma include the Roman-style pizzas at Ciao
Bello (5161 San Felipe) and the Provini veal chop with imported mushrooms at Vallone's,
947 Gessner. (Note: The wine just received a gold medal at the Texsom International Wine
Awards competition in Dallas. Also, the Chronicle's tasting panel gave it and two other
Calling wines, the Dutton Ranch Chardonnay and the Alexander Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon, unanimous recommendations.)
Price: $64 for a bottle at both
restaurants
Dale Robertson
2 of 4
3/29/16, 12:20 PM
Sommelier's pick: The Calling Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir - Houston ...
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/food/article/Sommelier-s-pic...
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FOOD & COOKING
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C o ok b o ok go e s w hole
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C a l l i ng D ut t o n R a n ch
P i not Noi r
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ve nt u r e
Dale Robertson
Sports Writer / Wine
Columnist, Houston
Chronicle
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Sommelier's pick: The Calling Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir - Houston ...
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/food/article/Sommelier-s-pic...
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