2018 Kistler Chardonnay Sonoma County
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard is one of the crown jewels of the Kistler portfolio in 2018. It has open-knit scents of toast, quince, iodine, roasted almonds, perfumed white peaches and honeycomb with loads of white flower perfume and a flinty streak. The palate is medium-bodied and intensely concentrated, giving up layer after layer of nuanced fruits. It has a rocky streak and energetic acidic spine, finishing unbelievably long—the flavors just go on and on. This may be the best wine from Kistler I've ever tasted.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard marries richness with elegance so well. Lemon confit, hazelnut, spice, butter, spice and apricot all meld together in the glass. Dry-farmed Chardonnay on St. George rootstock cropped to tiny yields and planted on red volcanic soils produces a Chardonnay of tremendous pedigree and character. Attractive tropical inflections add the closing shades of nuance.
There are two releases from the Kistler Vineyard, which lies on the Mayacamas side of the Valley, at an elevation between 1,200 and 1,300 feet above sea leave. This is a completely dry farmed, low yielding site, and the two cuvées show two sides of the same coin, with the Kistler Vineyard release seeing more morning sun, and the Cuvee Cathleen getting more evening sun. The 2018 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard is a stunning, flawless Chardonnay that does everything right, with vibrant notes of honeyed lemons, apple blossom, salted citrus, toasted bread, and honeysuckle all emerging from the glass. Fresh, focused, yet also powerful and concentrated on the palate, it has a distinct sense of minerality as well as a finish that won't quit. It needs a solid 3-4 years of bottle age and will drink brilliantly for over a decade.
The 2018 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard marries richness with elegance so well. Lemon confit, hazelnut, spice, butter, spice and apricot all meld together in the glass. Dry-farmed Chardonnay on St. George rootstock cropped to tiny yields and planted on red volcanic soils produces a Chardonnay of tremendous pedigree and character. Attractive tropical inflections add the closing shades of nuance.
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.