2021 Kistler Vineyard Cuvée Cathleen Chardonnay
Notes
Green-tinged pale yellow. Classic. Complex. Complete.Deeper than the site this wine holds block specific aromatics of delicate lime blossom, nut oils, crushed shale and sun ripe golden orchard fruit given its afternoon exposure. Annually one of our most comprehensive Chardonnays from an aroma and flavor perspective yet it comes from just one special block in the vineyard. Palate filling and lifting simultaneously. Finishes luxuriously, yet with clear definition carried by its natural acids. Will show well early but as always deserves some time in bottle to truly show its colors.
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100 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
The 2021 Chardonnay Cuvee Cathleen comes from a single 6-acre block in Kistler vineyard that faces the afternoon sun. It needs a lot of coaxing to lure out evocative notes of lemon verbena, lime leaves, and sea spray, giving way to nuances of fresh apples and Bosc pears with a touch of Marcona almonds. The medium to full-bodied palate is so, so tightly knit, with soft-spoken mineral and savory nuances accenting the bold citrus and apple flavors, finishing very long and energetic. Chardonnay doesn't get better than thi
98 points
Vinous, Antonio Galloni
The 2021 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard Cuvée Cathleen is one of the best wines I have ever tasted from Kistler. Complex and multi-faceted, the 2021 offers up an exciting mélange of ripe orchard fruit, dried flowers, mint, spice, and anise. There's an energy to the 2021, a feeling of noble complexity, that is so alluring.
100 points
James Suckling
A great chardonnay that shows opulence with structure, with lemon drops, cooked apple, dried peaches, flint and oyster shell. Some pumice and basalt. It’s medium-bodied at the beginning but it builds on the palate with superb depth and power. Spicy at the end, like Hunan peppers. Incredible character. Complex with a capital C. Try after 2026. |
96+
Erin Brooks The Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay Cuvée Cathleen is bright and crystalline. Scents of oyster shell and saline give way to white peaches, almonds and spring honey. The light-bodied palate is ethereal and vibrant with coiled, mineral-driven fruit and a surprisingly mouth-coating texture. Give it a few years in bottle to unwind.
