1998 Kistler Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Readers looking for an ostentatious blockbuster should check out Kistler's 1998 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard. This offering comes from the Hudson E Block vineyard that was made famous by Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer's Marcassin bottlings. Smoky, roasted hazelnut scents give this a garish, flamboyant, Meursault premier cru-like character. Big and full-bodied, with considerable glycerin, high alcohol, and terrific fruit richness, this thick, juicy, mouth-staining Chardonnay will impress with its power and brash display of fruit, alcohol, and glycerin. It should drink well for 5-6 years. (release date 3/01) Tel. (707) 823-5603; Fax (707) 823-6709
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Perfumed, multidimensional nose combines orange oil, pear, baked apple, iodine, cinnamon and nutmeg. Suave, silky and dense in the mouth, with tactile, extremely intense, soil-inflected flavors of orange, pear, ginger and powdered stone. Initially quite mineral, but showed more explosive fruit as it opened in the glass. Perfectly integrated acids give the flavors great thrust and grip. A knockout.
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.