2003 Kistler Chardonnay Durell Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Medium yellow. Warm gingery spices and nutty oak add interest to the pineapple aroma. Lush, sweet and spicy, if a bit youthfully subdued, with very ripe notes of peach and nectarine. This comes across as less obviously ripe than the McCrea or Dutton Ranch bottlings-or is it simply more understated? There's lovely acidity and very good persistence. The crop level here was half of normal due to a poor set.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Liqueur of minerals in addition to lemon oil and egg custard might well be a worthy descriptor for the 2003 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard. Light gold with a greenish hue, this wine is a bit more evolved in color than the McCrea Vineyard, but generous, full-bodied, and rich, with uplifting, vibrant acidity, giving freshness and zest to all the component parts. This is a candidate for 4-5 years of aging, although I suspect it is going to last longer. (Release date 11/05) 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.