Kistler Vineyards - Fall 2010 Release

The Fall 2010 Kistler release hit the mailbox today, and as always it is one to look forward to.  We absoluely love their chardonnay, and especially their pinot noir, as they are true pleasures to drink, with awesome nuances of Burgundy!

As always, we were allocated more than we can take, so if any of he locals are interested, drop me a line and let me know.  We'll probably take a few eachof the chardonnay, and a couple of each pinot noir.  Pricing per bottle statyed the same this year, and the chardonnay's have been allocated at $75 per bottle, and there are 5 different chards on this release.  They are all 2008's, and they are postd below along with Robert Parker's notes.

There are also 2 pinot noir this release, the 2008 Sonoma Coast at $80, as well as the Silver Belt Vineyard Cuvee Natalie Sonoma Coast at $90 per.  Notes on those listed below as well, along with the number of bottles we were allocated:

Robert Parker’s reviews for Fall 2010

2008 McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Mountain – 93-95  (16 bottle allocation)  Minerality is present in the tighter knit, but full-bodied, stunningly rich 2008 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard. This Chablis-like offering reveals abundant orange and citrus blossom characteristics intermixed with a crushed rock/wet stone note, super texture and density, and a strong, powerful finish with both elegance and substance.

2008 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – 91-93  (6 bottle allocation)  The 2008 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch offers aromas of nectarines, hazelnuts, and honeyed pineapple, a ripe, medium to full-bodied style, good acidity, a subtle smoky oak note in the background, terrific fruit, and serious levels of concentration.

2008 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – 92-94  (16 bottle allocation)  Another Chablis-like effort (and a grand cru one at that) is the 2008 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard. An intense minerality is accompanied by copious aromas of lemon oil, white peach, quince, and white currant offered in a full-bodied, fresh style.

2008 Parmelee-Hill Vineyard Stone Flat Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – 93-95  (6 bottle allocation)  The elegant, fresh, medium to full-bodied, intense 2008 Chardonnay Parmelee Hill Stone Flat Vineyard possesses notes of white currants, orange blossoms, nectarines, and white peaches with subtle hints of smoke and oak in the background. It reveals good acidity, abundant richness, and impressive purity as well as texture. It should drink well for 7-8 years.

2008 Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay Carneros – 92-94  (6 bottle allocation)  The more open-knit, All American 2008 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard exhibits tropical fruit and smoky hazelnuts in its distinctively California personality.

2008 Kistler Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – 91-93  (12 bottle allocation)  The 2008 Pinot Noir Kistler Vineyard (made from a Calera clone) exhibits a dark ruby hue as well as notes of plums, blueberries, brioche, flowers, raspberries, and pomegranate. Medium-bodied, fresh, and lively, it should drink nicely for a decade.

2008 Silver Belt Vineyard Cuvée Natalie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – 91-94  (6 bottle allocation)  Made primarily from the Swan clone, the 2008 Pinot Noir Cuvée Natalie Silver Belt reveals copious raspberry, cherry, spice box, earth, tobacco leaf, and forest floor characteristics in its seductive, velvety-textured, full-bodied personality . It possesses a feminine quality reminiscent of a Chambolle-Musigny from Burgundy. It, too, should drink well for a decade.

This will be another great release that we look forward to, and to our local friends, if you are interested in a few bottles, drop me an e-mail and let me know!  We're more than happy to share a few of the bottles we were allocated, as there is plenty of wine to go around!  Cheers!