2021 Chardonnay Vine Hill Road Vineyard

The 2021 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard comes from vines planted on AXR rootstock in 1988. Vibrancy and deep fruit define this wine, although the Vine Hill's aromatics take some time to segue from saline and iodine to fresh quince and lime peel. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated quince and apple flavors anchored by a singular bit of grip to the texture. Its tangy acidity and a chalky character to the finish, creates a shimmery effect and drives you to take another sip. It will be very long lived in the cellar.

A sunny golden hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard is ripe and savory, with a more brothy nature and a note of fresh sage. The palate has more structure and an almost grippy feel, with driving acidity in its notes of fleshy earth, orange pith, peach skin, toasted spice, and a touch of pineapple. it has mouthwatering acidity without being harsh in any way, thanks to its balance, and it’s savory on the finish. Drink it over the next 15 years. Located in the Russian River Valley, Kistler is led today by winemaker Jason Kesner, who continues the long tradition of working from a singular clone of Chardonnay with Burgundian lineage that Steve Kistler, now of Occidental Wines, began in the 1980s. The 2021s were all tasted at the winery with Jason this May. Across the board, the wines from this vintage carry a savory profile that’s less about its fruit character and more about texture and sense of place, expressing a haunting sense of power and range. These are wines that I sometimes find difficult to pin down into words, but they are truly worth experiencing for yourself.