2005 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Yellow-gold. Sharply focused tangerine and lime aromas are complicated by dusty minerals, white flowers and anise, with a suave undercurrent of toasty lees. Vibrant, finely etched citrus flavors expand on the palate, picking up honeyed pear and green papaya notes. This really stains the palate on the back end, leaving behind a strong echo of smoky minerals.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Consistently one of my favorite Chardonnays from this estate, the exotic 2005 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard offers hints of litchi nuts, tropical fruits, orange marmalade, and mangoes. Full-bodied, with tremendous length, terrific intensity, and an explosive bouquet, all underlaid with super, sappy acidity, this is a gorgeous white to drink over the next decade. Kistler Vineyards, undeniably one of the world’s finest winemaking estates, is run with passionate dedication to detail and quality by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler. It is wines like these that keep an old critic like me inspired and energized. Previously recommended: 2004 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard (91-93), 2004 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch (93-95), 2004 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard (92-94), 2004 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard (94-96), 2004 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard (94-96+), 2004 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard Cuvee Cathleen (95-97), 2004 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard (92-94), 2004 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard (94-96), 2004 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Cuvee Elizabeth (96-98), 2004 Pinot Noir Kistler Vineyard (92-94), 2004 Pinot Noir Kistler Vineyard Cuvee Catherine Occidental Station (94-95). Not yet released. 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.