2002 Kistler Chardonnay Durell Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Bright, full yellow. Leesy aromas of crushed stone, baking spices, orange oil and charred oak, with a suggestion of light sulfides. Fatter on entry than the McCrea or Dutton Ranch bottlings, then big, rich and velvety in the middle palate, but with a firm acid spine. Not yet hugely complex but I like this wine's cooler flavors of pineapple, stone and minerals. Finishes with sneaky length and lingering notes of pineapple, menthol and crushed stone. This, too, seems quite young.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The light straw/greenish-colored 2002 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard offers up aromas of lemon oil and vanilla custard in a clean, crisp, tart manner. The wine opens in the glass to reveal lemons, orange rind, pineapple, and plenty of rocks and minerals. Fresh, zesty, and exceptionally well-delineated, it is a candidate for 5-8+ years of ageability. (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.