July 18, 2020 - unfortunately this was long gone... much too oxidized and flat on the palate. A shame.
August 2, 2013 - 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.
September 30, 2012 - 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.
October 19, 2011 - 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.
May 23, 2011 - Still drinkable, but a bit oxidized and well past its prime.
October 8, 2010 - Absolutely a first rate wine -- will all of the hallmarks of a premiere cru Puligny Montrachet.
November 22, 2009 - med gold color; big nose of brioche. lime- tangy tangerine, minerality, warm feeling but nervositie too great beginning leading into the palate; full bodied, very rich, undertones of yeasty dough with lively top notes of tangerine, very ripe/ dried apricot, hint of almond/walnut at the finish; smooth seamless finish, very long!
amazing bottle for it's age
July 1, 2009 - The window has closed. Worth pouring if you still have it in your basement -- the cloudy color is intriguing. But the complexity has waned. Sure she was a beaut in her day, but no more. RIP.
March 6, 2009 - A wonderful bottle of aged Chardonnay. Still plaenty of fruit left, but why wait to drink?
June 26, 2008 - Kistler Cuvee Cathleen Dinner (Magnolia Cafe - Chicago IL): Tropical fruit aromas with good spice. Same lush and powerful fruit on palate, supported by reasonable acidity giving energy and texture. One of the best bottles of US Chardonnay I have ever had.