Chardonnay

“The relatively cool growing season for 2007 Chardonnays produced tightly knit wines with very crisp acid profiles, superb concentration because of modest yields, and relatively long aging potential of probably up to a decade for most of these Chardonnays.  If the scores seem slightly more conservative that in previous vintages, this probably reflects the vintage’s personality, which is more backward than the more evolved 2006s or fabulous 2005s, which always shown brilliantly.”

2007 Cuvée Cathleen Chardonnay – 94-97

“The luxury cuvée, the 2007 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard Cuvée Cathleen is essentially a selection of their best barrels from the Kistler site.  It possesses pretty much everything a Chardonnay should have – great acidity, fabulous fruit, texture, remarkable aromatics, and a long 40+- second finish.”

2007 Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay – 94-96

“The 2007 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard reminds me of a Corton-Charlemagne with its notes of white peach, unbuttered popcorn, honeysuckle, and that liqueur of crushed rocks.  This dry-farmed vineyard planted with old Wente and Mt. Eden clones (the preferred choice of Steve Kistler and his sidekick Mark Bixler) has produced a full-bodied, powerful, mineral-dominated wine with great acidity and a long finish.  With almost a tannic structure superimposed on the enormous fruit, this wine should drink well for at least a decade.”

2007 Stone Flat Vineyard Chardonnay – 94-96

“Readers looking for something that tastes like pure crushed rocks liquified into a beverage should check out the nuanced 2007 Chardonnay Parmalee Hill Stone Flat Vineyard.  Tropical fruits such as orange and nectarine as well as pineapple are present, but again, the liqueur of rocks dominates the wine, as there are also notes of quince and white currants.  A powerful wine with great acidity and a long finish, this wine should evolve nicely for a decade or more.”

2007 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay – 91-94

“Nectarine, orange blossom, lemon custard, and whole currants are present in the 2007 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard.  This is, again a wine with crisp, zesty acidity, striking liquid minerality, and a long, full-bodied finish.”

2007 Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay – 93-95

“From the vineyard in front of the winery, the 2007 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard is a muscular, powerful Chardonnay with notes of citrus oil, wood smoke, roasted nuts, and tropical fruits.  Superb concentration, considerable power, and a thick, layered mouthfeel with zesty acidity acts as a wonderful buttress to this large-scaled Chardonnay.”

2007 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay – 93-96

“One of my favorites is the flamboyant 2007 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard.  Incredible fragrances of honeysuckle and tropical fruits as well as caramelized oranges and nectarines offer thrilling aromatic fireworks.  Full-bodied, with terrific purity and a layered mouthfeel, this is a stunning Chardonnay that should come into its own in 1-2 years and last for a decade.”

2007 Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay – 94-97

“At my tasting, they served the 2007 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard after their flagship luxury cuvée only because it is that exotic, flamboyant, and superb.  Sometimes the most forward and evolved of the Kistler Chardonnays, the 2007 is completely different.  Orange marmalade, buttered and caramelized peaches and apricots as well as pineapple notes and even a hint of mango make this the most exotic and exuberant of all the 2007 Kistler Chardonnays.  This is a full-bodied, hedonistic wine with an amazing personality.  It should be drunk over the next 6-7 years.”

2007 McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay – 92-94

“The minerality is evident in virtually all of these wines.  It jumps from the glass of the 2007 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard.  This cool Sonoma Mountain site offers up notes of tropical fruit, honeysuckle, citrus blossoms, and wet stones.  It is full-bodied, crisp, restrained, but loaded with concentrated fruit and long in the mouth.”

2007 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay – 91-93

“The brioche, hazelnut, crème caramel and tropical fruits dominate the flamboyant aromatics of the 2007 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch.  This wine has full-bodied power, good acidity, and a heady finish.”

Pinot Noir

“Pinot Noirs from Kistler have become less extracted, and they are more complex as a result.  […] Steve Kistler told me that in 2007, they only cropped 22 tons of Pinot Noir fruit from their 18 acres of Pinot vineyards.”

2007 Cuvée Elizabeth Pinot Noir – 96-98

“Sweet black raspberries, camphor, and forest floor notes intermixed with a cocktail of spring flowers all jump from the glass of this full-bodied, gorgeously proportioned, rich wine that is about as compelling as California Pinot Noir is capable of being.  It has a Burgundy-like structure, but its great purity of fruit and dazzling texture and length are awesome.  This wine should drink well young but hit its strike in 5-6 years and last for 15-20 years.”

2007 Cuvée Catherine Pinot Noir – 95-97

“The compelling 2007 Pinot Noir Cuvée Catherine from the Occidental Station Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast is made entirely from the Calera clone.  Deep ruby/purple with crushed raspberries, violets, Chinese black tea, and chalky, almost wet stone-like notes, the wine is rich, full-bodied, multi-dimensional, with superb depth and length, and a remarkable finish.”

2007 Cuvée Natalie Pinot Noir – 94-96

“The 2007 Pinot Noir Cuvée Natalie Silver Boat, which emanates from a Sonoma Coast vineyard, is made from a 50/50 blend of the Swan and Calera heritage California clones.  Sweet notes of balsam wood, black raspberries, spring flowers as well as hints of cherry and blueberry are all present in this dark, profoundly rich, broad, and savory Pinot Noir.  It is well-built, although still backward and needing several years of bottle-age, but it should evolve for 10-15 years.”

2007 Kistler Vineyard Pinot Noir – 91-93

“The 2007 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast displays plenty of raspberry and floral notes, has a deep ruby/purple color, nicely integrated wood, medium to full body, and a spicy finish.  Drink it over the next decade.”