Kistler 2013 Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay - rare new release. 96 Points Robert Parker: "From the vineyard in front of the winery, the 2013 Chardonnay Vine Hill Road Vineyard offers up the classic Old Wente clone style of white peach, white currants, honeysuckle, apple blossom, medium to full body, gorgeous purity and richness in a style similar to a Corton Charlemagne from Burgundy. Drink it over the next 4-6 years... ...the single-vineyard wines all represent much smaller quantities of wine. There have been several noticeable changes in the Kistler wines over the last few years, as they are certainly picking the Pinot Noir at an earlier date and going for less extraction, more fragrance and delicacy. The Chardonnays are still powerful wines but they have backed off the new oak to about 40%. (About 10 years ago, it was around 60%.) Other than that they are still potent and rich Chardonnays that are meant to be drunk in their first 4-6 years of life. It is my experience that aging Kistler wine has not been generally as successful as I would have hoped.."
Sean Genn
Lots of oak followed by some tropical fruit
Lots of oak followed by some tropical fruit
8.9Charlie Beatty
Buyer wineworksonline.com
Tropical fruits with creamy buttery flavors. This 2013Kistler has it all. Great with almost our food dishes . Restaurant is packed but very organized! Vacation starts now!CB 95
Tropical fruits with creamy buttery flavors. This 2013Kistler has it all. Great with almost our food dishes . Restaurant is packed but very organized! Vacation starts now!CB 95
9.5Charlie Beatty
Buyer wineworksonline.com
Awesome Cali Chard that drinks like Grand Cru White Burgundy. 2013 is another awesome year! Tropical fruits with just a kiss of oak. Treating my daughter and future on the back deck at home! Vine Hills Best from Kistler. CB 95+
Awesome Cali Chard that drinks like Grand Cru White Burgundy. 2013 is another awesome year! Tropical fruits with just a kiss of oak. Treating my daughter and future on the back deck at home! Vine Hills Best from Kistler. CB 95+
9.5Andy Christiansen
2013 @ texsom
2013 @ texsom
9.4Michael L S
This really needs the oak to integrate. Right now I found oak to be strong on the nose and palate.
This really needs the oak to integrate. Right now I found oak to be strong on the nose and palate.
Jeff Ball
Great oak flavor and velvety texture.
Great oak flavor and velvety texture.
9.1Luis F Gimenez
Floral bouquet, apples and honeysuckle. Good acidity. Has a hint of oak.
Floral bouquet, apples and honeysuckle. Good acidity. Has a hint of oak.
9.3Luis Gimenez
Wonderful blend of light fruits: peaches, pears, apples. Minimal oak leads to a wonderful summer wine
Wonderful blend of light fruits: peaches, pears, apples. Minimal oak leads to a wonderful summer wine
9.7Justin Hurst
Really out of balance. Oak bomb up front, then weird acidity.
Really out of balance. Oak bomb up front, then weird acidity.
8.0Justin Brilman
Very enjoyable. Granny Smith apple on top of a tropical but not overly sweet palate. Need another year or 2 and will score 2-3 points higher.
Very enjoyable. Granny Smith apple on top of a tropical but not overly sweet palate. Need another year or 2 and will score 2-3 points higher.
9.2WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.