2007 Kistler Chardonnay Cuvée Cathleen
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Tasting notes
(this is all Wente clone) Light gold. Precise, high-pitched aromas of lime, honeysuckle and minerals, with complicating notes of anise and iodine. Dense, intense and impeccably balanced, showing a very firm mineral spine without coming off as austere. In fact, this is extremely concentrated, offering powerful pear and fresh fig flavors and a late note of honeysuckle. Quite steely on the pure, dusty finish, which displays sneaky length and a touch of smokiness.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Previously recommended, no tastng note given. Following the brilliant success of Kistler’s 2007s, Steve Kistler and his sidekick, Mark Bixler, deserve kudos for what they have achieved in the more challenging 2008 vintage. This is the first vintage in which 100% of the fermentations were indigenous, and, fortunately, all their Sonoma Coast vineyards were far enough south that they were not tainted by any of the smoke from the ferocious fires that spread through Mendocino. The 2008s appear to be slightly more fruit-forward, with a touch less minerality than the 2007s. They are full-bodied, impressively endowed wines, with the Chardonnays best drunk during their first 5-7 years of life, and the Pinot Noirs during their first 10-12. Tel. (707) 823-5603; Fax (707) 823-6709
About the producer
Kistler’s Chardonnays are some of the world’s most sought-after. This cult Californian producer crafts small volumes of exceptional, rich and generous, yet mineral and precise wines. With almost the entire production sold directly to their mailing list, the wines are also incredibly hard to find.