1999 Kistler - Chardonnay Cuvee Cathleen
USA - California - Sonoma
Chardonnay
Still
Still
Buy from Vinfolio
Producer Notes
Specializing in Burgundian style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Kistler Vineyards is a small family-owned winery located in the Russian River Valley. Since its first vintage in 1979, the winery has grown in size to produce 25,000 cases per year. Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler share the winemaking responsibilities, while Mark also acts as chemist and business manager. The winery, completed in 1992, is... More »
Professional Reviews
- Source
- International Wine Cellar
- Issue
- Issue 102
(mostly from Kistler Vineyard fruit) Pale yellow-gold. Reserved but highly complex aromas of peach, soft citrus fruits, pineapple, coconut, nutmeg and vanilla. Thick and fat but backward and impressively structured for this cuvee, owing to its underlying acidity and mineral spine. Shows a lemony austerity today. Finishes with sneaky length and terrific grip.
- Source
- Wine Advocate
- Issue
- 142
The 1999 Chardonnay Cuvee Cathleen is phenomenal. It is rich, mineral-dominated, and full, with an unctuous flavor profile, great purity, and stunning layers that unfold on the palate, it does not taste heavy or over the top. That's the brilliance of Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler. This profound Chardonnay rivals the greatest Burgundy grand crus. If you don't believe me, put it in a blind tasting, as I have done many times. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.
- Source
- Wine Spectator
Notably rich, intense and complex, with thick butterscotch, vanilla, hazelnut and leafy-fig flavors that unfold to offer layers of subtle anise and spice notes. Finishes with a burst of lemon custard and some tannins. 535 cases made.
Community Tasting Notes
- Author
- Daniel B
- Site / Blog
- Trust Rating
- 99%
- Tasted On
- 02/01/2005
- Drink Dates
- 2005-2009
The Cuvee Cathleen is Kistler?s "reserve" Chardonnay and generally consists of their best barrels from their vineyard designates. In 1999, the Cuvee Cathleen mostly hailed from the Kistler Vineyard. At this tasting, the '99?s quality blew me away. The '99 is a tremendous Chardonnay (although bottle variation exists as two bottles I tasted in the summer of 2004 were not at this bottle?s level). As time has gone by the wine has taken on quite a bit of color but still retains the haze it showed on release. Powerfully exotic aromas gush from the glass. Coconut, mineral, stone, bright and intense lime, as well as an almost chocolaty nuance can be discerned in the bouquet. The power continues in the mouth with virtually perfect acidity and incredible length. "Awesome" is repeated three times in my notes.
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2000 - $149.95 (750ml)