November 9, 2023 - Opened for regular wine group this was still alive and going but imo it is in its sun set years so to speak. Dried fruit, hint of butterscotch, oak still sticks out Will say that it was a last bottle purchase so have no idea of provenance, but similar in character to others I've had from the producer over the years.
December 23, 2022 - Holy moley! This was definitely the chardonnay of the table tonight but was outdone by a 7 year old Sauvignon Blanc. This wine still had quite a bit of weight and density, beautiful peach preserves, granny smith apple, sharp acidity on the front balanced with white pepper on the finish. Great salinity and mineral density. I would have said based on what I knew about this wine before it was even offered that I would have approached this with caution. Today? I would have put a straw in it! I'm not sure how much longer this bottle has, but this one was an absolute beauty today.
April 11, 2020 - Opened about 30 minutes before serving. Golden straw color. Tropical fruit, pear, vanilla and a little toasted oak. Had an oxidative note at first that diminished with air but never quite departed. Rich fruit was balanced by good acidity -- one of the things I like about Kistler's McCrea. This was still excellent wine, but time to drink up IMO.
January 18, 2020 - PNP into Zalto Burgundy glass (“Flower” day): Medium golden to the eyes.
Very floral this. Highly mineral but not so much on acidity. Oak is there, solid but still good for my tastes.
Not unlike a hot vintage Burgundy.
93 points.
September 16, 2019 - No detailed notes but just since no recent notes, still great
November 14, 2018 - Yellow with a golden tone. Vanilla and butterscotch on the nose, it carries through on the palate as well. Creamy, ripe golden delicious apple, and crisp apricot, pineapple and it finishes slightly tart. This was opened and tasted over one hour.
October 26, 2018 - Straw yellow. Since my previous bottle this has pulled everything together, smooth and polished, with ripe apple, honey, stone fruits, subtle pineapple and tropical fruit. It was interesting to see how the different flavor aspects changed as the wine went from chilled to cellar temperature, but it was always good. I see that other tasters were worried about this going over the hill, but for me this was spot on now!
May 11, 2018 - Aromas of flowers. Flavors of ripe peaches, ripe melons, ripe pears. A little bit of wet stone/organic earth. Butter and cream notes are present but muted. A bit of spice from the oak. Tasted next to the 2008 and this was much more restrained/Burgundian in approach, which is to say, to my liking.
January 24, 2018 - Very nice, lemon,citrus. Crisp green apple in the mouth with some light butter and oak. Holding up well for an older Kistler
November 1, 2017 - Just a beautifully balanced wine. If Burgundy and California married their best Chardonnays to each other, this is what youd get. Consume at dinner at Cafe Bouloud in Palm Beach. The meal consisted of pumpkin ravioli, tile fish and scallops. The wine was the best of a bit of Oakland butter with lots of fruit in a long, very complex finish.