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Kistler Vineyards is a wine producer in northern California's Sonoma County. Its considerable reputation is thanks largely to its robust, buttery Chardonnay wines, which have established Kistler as a cult winery since the 1980s.
The company was founded in 1978 by Steve Kistler and remains a family-owned and operated winery. It is a relatively small producer, making just 35,000 cases annually, much of which is sold through its significant mailing list. Kistler's focus is the Burgundy varieties, making 10 vineyard-designated Chardonnay wines and four designated Pinot Noir wines.
One heritage Californian selection of Chardonnay planted across fifteen vineyards, from Carneros to Sonoma Valley, to the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. From those sites we produce eleven vineyard designate Chardonnays. We are wholly dedicated to the ideal of wines of site. It’s an unparalleled approach in the new world.
Two heritage selections of Pinot Noir inform all of our Pinot Noirs. Originally hailing from a Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, we’ve been propagating these two selections for the last twenty-five years. They, like our Chardonnay clone are very low yielding, resulting in wines with a natural density and concentration of flavor, balanced by elegant natural acids and elevated aromatics.
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 1997 |
| Rating | 97 RP |
| Bottle Size | 750 ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 1 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | North Coast |
| Producer | Kistler |
| Color | Red |
| Wine Type | Table |
| Rating | 97 RP - There are approximately 250 cases of the 1997 Pinot Noir Cuvee Catherine. Like its siblings it has over 14% alcohol but that is totally obscured by the wine's sensational concentration extract and overall equilibrium. A dense ruby/purple-colored full-bodied Pinot Noir it offers up aromas of blackberries raspberries and cherry liqueur intermixed with licorice smoke and meat. Chewy yet not heavy this wine does reveal some tannin but it is largely hidden by the wine's fruit glycerin and extract. Wow what an amazing performance! This wine is among of the most spectacular Pinot Noirs I have ever tasted. It is easy to get excited about Kistler's Pinot Noirs. All are aged in 100% new oak made in small lots 250-500 cases and bottled with neither fining nor filtration. They are trying to keep the levels of SO2 to minimal dosages so the wines can be as expressive as possible. These Pinot Noirs can easily hold their own in blind tastings with the finest red Burgundies. |
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| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 1997 |
| Rating | 97 RP |
| Bottle Size | 750 ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 1 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | North Coast |
| Producer | Kistler |
| Color | Red |
| Wine Type | Table |
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