Kistler Tasting

Tasting Notes from FunWithWine.com's 10th Annual Kistler Vineyard Dinner at Red Eye Grill.

In our opinion Steve Kistler of Kistler Vineyards makes some of the best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in California, that is why we this was our 10th Kistler Vineyard dinner.

Entry Wine:

Kistler Vineyard Stone Flat Vineyard Chardonnay 2006, Sonoma Coast (RP - 95-96 pts)

This is the second vintage for the Stone Flat Vineyard. Concentrated citrus, orange, mineral, and wet stone notes (a little off putting at first, blew off). Full bodied with a touch of almonds and high acidity.

Flight #1:

Kistler Vineyard Kistler Vineyard Pinot Noir 1999, Russian River Valley(RP - 93-95 pts)

Raspberry, cherry soda, some earth/mineral, and well integrated.

Kistler Vineyard Kistler Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005, Russian River Valley (RP - 93-95 pts)

Dark red, raspberry/blueberry, jammy, ripe,spicy, youthful, though well balanced.

Flight #2:

Kistler Vineyards' McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay 1995 (RP - 90 pts)

Coral, honey, lemon, caramel, well balanced with a good mouth feel.

Kistler Vineyards' McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay 1999 (RP - 92-94 pts)

Oily/petrol minerals, citrus (pineapple) and edgy.

Kistler Vineyards' McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay 2005 (RP - 93-95 pts)

Perfume and spice on the nose. Vibrant concentrated citrus, lemon zest with good acidity.

Flight #3:

Kistler Vineyards Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay 1999 (RP - 93 pts)

Dark, lean, mineral, chalky citrus notes, with butterscotch and caramel.

Kistler Vineyards Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay 2005 (RP - 95-98 pts)

Mineral, orange honey/butterscotch, rich with subdued acidity, full bodied (round) with a long finish .

Flight #4:

Kistler Vineyards Cuvee Cathleen Chardonnay 1999 (RP - 97 pts)

Mineral notes, lean with some butterscotch and high alcohol presence. Complex and full bodied.

Kistler Vineyards Cuvee Cathleen Chardonnay 2005 (RP - 96-100 pts)

Honey, orange peel, lemon lime, peach, mineral, crisp acidity, concentrated richness, complex and layered with a long finish.

Dessert Flight:

Kracher #7 Welschriesling Trokenbeerenauslese (TBA) 2004

Darker and deeper color than the 2002. Oily, rich mouth-feel, with honey and petrol. Viscous.

Kracher #8 Welschriesling Trokenbeerenauslese (TBA) 2002

Deep golden. Mineral and honey notes. Field scents; herbal; some pine tar.