July 4, 2020 - Butterscotch, green apple, oak and vanilla. This wine is powerful and full of life. It’s amazing that this is still very much full of life. It’s drinking beautifully. If you like evolved butterscotchy and acidic white wines, this is straight up your lane.
August 4, 2005 - Kistler Chardonnay Blind Tasting (Chicago IL): Blind Kistler Chardonnay tasting. Smoky and toasty nose with lots of rich, ripe fruit. Smells of peach and apple (perhaps caramelized apple). Rich buttery flavors that are clearly in an extreme style but the heft and density of this wine's fruit keep this wine powerful and solid. Not the bottle I would pull to showcase Chardonnay's charms, but a fun and well-made wine. My WOTN, near the bottom for this group.
August 4, 2005 - Kistler Chards 1994-2002 TN (Long) (F. Patterson - Chicago): Smoky, toasty nose with rich apple and butterscotch - yum!
Soft vanilla flavors with ripe Mackintosh apple fruit and sweet carmel. Layered dense fruit flavors making a hedonistic experience many may not appreciate. Finish is unusally long rich and complex for a California Chardonnay with 10 years of age. Likely will not improve, but can hold for some time.
April 22, 2005 - Not many Cali Chards can last for over 10 years, but Kistler is definitely on that short list. Bright straw gold. Beautiful nose of crushed stones, smoke and with some pineapple in the background. Strong mineral edge on the palate with a long smooth finish. Still plenty of acidity and showing no signs of decline. Classic mature Cali Chard. They don't get much better. Could probably hold for a few more years.
August 1, 2004 - Kistler Chard Tasting - My #11, Group #8. Deep golden/yellow. Forward aroma of honeyed oak. Rich honeyed yellow fruit and heavy oak on the palate. A bit much. 8/04
February 7, 2000 - Dark yellow in color. Soaring aromas of honey and creme. The minerality this wine once possessed has been replaced by caramel and honey. Complex, and enjoyable, but probably at it's peak.
August 29, 1999 - Dark gold color. Big aromas of butterscotch, citrus fruits, and minerals. Thick mouthfeel, with a wonderful minerality to it, especially in the finish. Drinking great right now. A bit of heat, but not enough to detract. Decent acidity will allow it to hold, but I think this would be tempting fate.
March 6, 1999 - Somewhat lighter nose than I previously remember. Very thick, and still full of fruit. Nice long finish, with a good amount of lingering acidity left in it.
August 3, 1997 - Excellent!! Thick and juicy, buttery and nutty. Wonderful thickness on the palate and incredible finish. Just the right amount of oak. Very classy. too be consumed in small amounts... and slowly!