1998 Chardonnay Cuvee Cathleen
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Tasting notes
This Chardonnay represents an evolution in style. It possesses all the power and concentration of Steve Kistler's most successful wines, but it also has a certain restraint allied with extraordinary complexity and elegance that a few years ago would have been found only in the finest Burgundy grand crus. The 1998 Chardonnay Cuvee Cathleen is a spectacularly beautiful, well-delineated effort with everything hitting the olfactory senses and palate in measured doses. However, the overall impression is one of stunning concentration, perfect harmony, fabulous density and richness, and that layered, intense mid-palate and length that only great wines possess. It needs a year or more of cellaring, and should evolve in an intriguing manner for up to a decade. (release date 3/01) Tel. (707) 823-5603; Fax (707) 823-6709
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Leesy, smoky aromas of orange oil, pineapple, lemon skin, coconut and hazelnut. Intensely flavored, spicy and delineated, with mineral and talc notes. Generous and pliant, but perhaps a bit less fat and more precise than some recent vintages of this wine. Finishes very long, firm and subtle.
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.