First time with this top cuvée of Kistler and was courious how a 1996 would fare at 17 years old. It's appearance was very mature, it looked twice it's age. Initially quite disappointing, clearly past it's prime, sherried nose and quite flat. After 20 minutes the sherry notes were replaced by a butterscotch profile with some marzipan notes, drinkable but disappointing.
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This was a real winner at a dinner party tonight. Everything was integrated, mellow and a true pleasure. The minerality had faded and the oak was not an issue. Butterscotch was showing as the wine had time to breath and warm a little in the glass. Pretty gratifying for a 16 year old CA Chard.
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The heavy oak on this vintage has melded with the fruit, though still present in the vanilla flavor. This has turned out to be a well balanced wine, drinking like velvet now. No minerality, but good fruit and balanced acidity.
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7/18/2020 - Peech wrote: flawed
unfortunately this was long gone... much too oxidized and flat on the palate. A shame.
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8/2/2013 - paul195 wrote: 88 Points
First time with this top cuvée of Kistler and was courious how a 1996 would fare at 17 years old. It's appearance was very mature, it looked twice it's age. Initially quite disappointing, clearly past it's prime, sherried nose and quite flat. After 20 minutes the sherry notes were replaced by a butterscotch profile with some marzipan notes, drinkable but disappointing.
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9/30/2012 - northbridge wrote: 92 Points
This was a real winner at a dinner party tonight. Everything was integrated, mellow and a true pleasure. The minerality had faded and the oak was not an issue. Butterscotch was showing as the wine had time to breath and warm a little in the glass. Pretty gratifying for a 16 year old CA Chard.
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10/19/2011 - Lipsman wrote: 90 Points
The heavy oak on this vintage has melded with the fruit, though still present in the vanilla flavor. This has turned out to be a well balanced wine, drinking like velvet now. No minerality, but good fruit and balanced acidity.
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5/23/2011 - M DU VIN wrote: 87 Points
Still drinkable, but a bit oxidized and well past its prime.
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