USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
A step up in intensity from the Trenton Roadhouse. Good, acid driven body. I definitely think the "Burgundian" label is apropos here. Looong finish, 30+ seconds. A favorite.
The way these wines are made is fascinating. They are aged on the lees, but they do no stirring. Then they pour the top off but do no fining or filtration. The wines are remarkably clear nonetheless.
A bit more in the California style than some of the others. Richer, more forward, sweeter-seeming, maybe with a bit of stone fruit. Still, quite balanced.
Such a classy nose! Definitely fruit on the palate, but it's not unrestrained. Cherry, cranberry mainly. Softly textured, but lifted by the acids.
Fascinatingly, this wine takes the no-stirring of the lees thing to the next level. Kistler has custom steel tanks ("columns", our pourer called them) made that are 3 feet wide by 20 feet tall. The wine is put into these tanks for two months, and then the juice is poured off the lees, allowing the winemaker to avoid fining or filtration but still getting some lees contact.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
Definitely chiles of many kinds on the nose: red and green bell pepper for sure, and yes, dried anchos as the house tasting note suggests. Great texture; a very pleasant wine to drink. A wonderful alternative to brooding and thickly-textured Napa cabernet. I can see this doing well with pork or roast duck dishes.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
Juicy acidity, almost appley, though it's 100% malo. 40% new, 9 months in wood, some lees stirring. As it warms, it seems sweeter, but a balanced wine nonetheless.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
My favorite of the Pinots in this lineup, just as it was 2010, the last time we tasted here. Tart and berry driven. Focused, not super-friendly, but serious and will likely reward some cellar time.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
I appreciate the darker and more intense nature of this Pinot, but I get a bit of stewed fruit on the nose and on the palate, which is an instant turnoff for me.
2014 Kistler Chardonnay Trenton Roadhouse 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
(6/17/2017)
Similar in profile to the Vine Hill, but gentler. Even so, there's a quiet, persistent intensity.
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2014 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
A step up in intensity from the Trenton Roadhouse. Good, acid driven body. I definitely think the "Burgundian" label is apropos here. Looong finish, 30+ seconds. A favorite.
The way these wines are made is fascinating. They are aged on the lees, but they do no stirring. Then they pour the top off but do no fining or filtration. The wines are remarkably clear nonetheless.
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2014 Kistler Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(6/17/2017)
Softer and rounder than previous wines tasted; but richer. Still, suffers in comparison to the intensity of the Vine Hill.
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2014 Kistler Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain
(6/17/2017)
A bit more in the California style than some of the others. Richer, more forward, sweeter-seeming, maybe with a bit of stone fruit. Still, quite balanced.
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2014 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvée Natalie Silver Belt 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
(6/17/2017)
Such a classy nose! Definitely fruit on the palate, but it's not unrestrained. Cherry, cranberry mainly. Softly textured, but lifted by the acids.
Fascinatingly, this wine takes the no-stirring of the lees thing to the next level. Kistler has custom steel tanks ("columns", our pourer called them) made that are 3 feet wide by 20 feet tall. The wine is put into these tanks for two months, and then the juice is poured off the lees, allowing the winemaker to avoid fining or filtration but still getting some lees contact.
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2014 Dehlinger Chardonnay 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
A focused acidity slides into a smoothly textured wine. Substantial, persistent. The nose is lanolin-like. Serious and worth drinking.
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2014 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Goldridge 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
Wow, what a great nose. The palate has a great tartness and balancing bitterness, the pair of which becomes the focus over the fruit. Enjoyable.
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2014 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Altamont 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
More of a fruit focus on this compared to the Goldridge, but still overall a savory and tart experience (in a good way). A wine for the mind.
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2012 Dehlinger Syrah Altamont 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
Great texture, high-toned fruit. Not normally what I'm looking for in Syrah, but a good and serious effort.
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2013 Dehlinger Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/17/2017)
Definitely chiles of many kinds on the nose: red and green bell pepper for sure, and yes, dried anchos as the house tasting note suggests. Great texture; a very pleasant wine to drink. A wonderful alternative to brooding and thickly-textured Napa cabernet. I can see this doing well with pork or roast duck dishes.
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2013 Merry Edwards Chardonnay Olivet Lane Vineyard Russian River Valley 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
Juicy acidity, almost appley, though it's 100% malo. 40% new, 9 months in wood, some lees stirring. As it warms, it seems sweeter, but a balanced wine nonetheless.
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2014 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Olivet Lane Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
Aromatics are beautiful. Soft and lush on the palate. Some call this "feminine" in style.
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2014 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Meredith Estate 92 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
My favorite of the Pinots in this lineup, just as it was 2010, the last time we tasted here. Tart and berry driven. Focused, not super-friendly, but serious and will likely reward some cellar time.
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2014 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Coopersmith
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
I appreciate the darker and more intense nature of this Pinot, but I get a bit of stewed fruit on the nose and on the palate, which is an instant turnoff for me.
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2015 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(6/18/2017)
6 months on the lees, stirred; 18% new oak, the rest neutral. I like this wine, but I want a bit more acid to punch through the creaminess.
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