2008 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Vivid yellow. Seductively aromatic nose offers ripe peach and melon scents complicated by spice and smoke and lifted by a floral element. Showing more power and intensity than the Hudson, with deep pit fruit flavors and a hint of mango. Finishes with superb clarity and length, the mineral and spice notes echoing.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The stunning 2008 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard reveals an intense bouquet of tropical fruits, white currants, white peaches, pineapple and citrus oil followed by a full-bodied white that lives up to its exquisite aromatics. It should drink beautifully for 7-8 years. Not only have the 2008s lived up to or exceeded their potential from last year’s barrel tastings, the 2009s appear to be fabulous as well. Of course, 2008 was a much more challenging vintage and 2009 was a cool year, much like 2005, with slightly lower alcohols and higher yields than the short crop of 2008. All of the 2009 Chardonnays finished with around 14+% alcohol levels and had more minerality than usual. Kistler’s bottled 2008s were all concentrated. The 2008 Chardonnays have the potential to last even longer than the 2009s given the fact that they are even more concentrated than those wines. Tel. (707) 823-5603; Fax (707) 823-6709
About the producer
Kistler’s Chardonnays are some of the world’s most sought-after. This cult Californian producer crafts small volumes of exceptional, rich and generous, yet mineral and precise wines. With almost the entire production sold directly to their mailing list, the wines are also incredibly hard to find.