1994 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard
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The 1994 Chardonnays are currently being released, with several scheduled to hit the marketplace in March, 1997. I have rated those wines as indicated Readers having a difficult time finding the Kistler wines should realize that a healthy percentage of the 18,000 case production is sold via the winery's direct mailing list, with much of the balance going to our country's top restaurants. The winery also tends to release its wines later than others because of their aging potential. Kistler Vineyards is at the pinnacle of the California qualitative pyramid. Particularly admirable is the fact that they got there the hard way - they earned it. Tel. (707) 996-5117; Fax (707) 996-7061
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
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The 1994 Pinot Noir Vine Hill Vineyard exhibits a deeper color than the 1994 Camp Meeting Ridge Pinot Noir, a riper, more intense fragrance, superb richness and depth, full body, lovely integrated oak and acidity, and an opulent, silky-textured finish. It could easily pass as a top grand cru from Burgundy's Cote d'Or. It should drink well when released and age well for 5-6 years. There will be a whopping 800 cases available of Steve Kistler's 1994 Pinot Noir cuvees. There may also be a selection of the best barrels of these wines for the production of a Cuvee Catherine. Kistler is on a mission to turn out splendid Pinot Noirs, an objective that appears well within reach. In 1994 there will be three new vineyard-designated Pinots. Tel. (707) 996-5117
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.