1996 Kistler Pinot Noir Camp Meeting Ridge
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Tasting notes
The dense ruby-colored 1996 Pinot Noir Camp Meeting Ridge Vineyard (150 cases) is a fruit bomb, offering copious quantities of lush black fruits intermixed with underbrush, minerals, and spice. Gorgeously proportioned, medium to full-bodied, with well-integrated tannin and acidity, its vibrancy, purity, and liveliness are commendable. This wine should drink well young, and keep for a decade. Kistler's Pinot Noirs are among my favorites being made in the New World. The wines are 100% destemmed, the fermentations are 100% natural (indigenous yeasts), they are put through a complete malolactic fermentation, and totally aged in new oak. Bottling is accomplished with neither fining nor filtration. Sadly, the wines are made in small lots. Readers should recognize that Kistler's policy is to sell most of their production directly to consumers and restaurants. Readers who live in states that permit direct shipment of California wines should be sure and get on the winery's mailing list. Tel. (707) 823-5603; Fax (707) 823-6709
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Dark red-ruby. Aroma of raw crushed blackberries along with exotic suggestions of peach and apricot. Huge, mouthfilling and lush; extremely rich pinot noir with the sheer size of a grand cru Burgundy. Yet almost magically, this big boy retains a primary fruit quality, and sound acids give the finish excellent grip. Seamless and very long. This wine sappy, deep fruit held up remarkably well in the recorked bottle.
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.