2012 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard seems to be the most laid-back, retrained and leanest of all the Chardonnays in the 2012 Kistler portfolio. Floral notes are reticent but emerge with coaxing. The wine is medium-bodied and shows good acidity as well as some tightness and restraint that may favor it among those looking for less ostentatious and exuberant styles of Chardonnay. It is well-endowed, but seems to be holding back a lot of its charm and character under a cloak of acidity. Give it another six months of aging and drink it over the following 5-6 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is one of the more exuberant wine in this lineup. Orange peel, mint, butter, smoke and hazelnuts blossom in a warm, burnished Chardonnay built on pure textural depth. With time in the glass, the Hyde shows off its trademark oily, viscous texture, along with tropical-inflected notes that add an exotic flair. Hyde is always about resonance and creaminess, and there is plenty of both in the 2012.
Kistler's 2012 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is striking in its beauty. Today, the Hyde is one of the least expressive of the wines in the range, although it has more than enough intensity to fill out its broad shoulders nicely. Crushed rocks and white flowers are some of the notes that inform the intense, palate staining finish. The 2012 boasts fabulous balance and tons of class.
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.