Although I rarely drink big California Chardonnay, I make an exception for Kistler, and this vineyard specifically. The wine is huge in all aspects. Complex nose of honey, white flowers, tropical fruits. Long legs revealing 14.7 ABV. Full bodied and voluptuous on the palate, with pineapple, mango, guava. Extremely complex with enough acidity to balance it out. Better with some air. I am for the most part a Chablis drinker, but this wine with homemade crab cakes was a classic match. Quite enjoyable. Solid 94.
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Still going strong. Fruit holding in, tertiary flavors blooming, beautiful acidity and Bordeaux nuances. As always, a delight to drink. Enjoyed with family on Masters Sunday. Solid 92, sadly my last bottle. Drink or hold. Delicious.
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Solid 94 and last of my two magnums. This is now perfectly in the drinking window. 1 hour decant. Slightest amount of bricking. Dense purple in the glass. Enticing aromas of earth, forest floor, garrigue, dark fruits. Beautiful balance, nice acidity, tannins smooth and integrated. Just a beautiful wine. Opened at family dinner and it was loved by all. Consumed quickly….
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4/9/2024 9:05:00 AM - Mark- So very true. Come out to AZ and lets do it. You name the travel dates and we will make something happen. On a side note, here is one of the best wine programs in the country - there are some fun ones still to come - and on May 2nd Louis Latour will host a dinner.
https://www.anhelorestaurant.com/projects-6
11/3/2022 3:39:00 PM - Mark- come out to AZ and pull corks. We do some pretty bada-s sh-t out here! four events on the books now for this year:
-Chateau Ducru Beacaillou flying out for a 40 year vertical
-Napa Cult Christopher Tyan flying out doing a 8 year vertical
-VHR flying out doing a six-year vertical
-Tying in a BMF bottle night alongside each one of those events which gets crazy
4/24/2019 7:22:00 PM - I like detailed tasting notes. I DO NOT like bullshit descriptors like “lightly bruised Bosc pear” or other such drivel. Let’s be real, people. That is all :) Cheers fellow wine lovers!
11/9/2018 4:45:00 PM - ROTFL re your Longs & Shorts. Would I be correct to assume no one with the surname Wagner is on your Holiday Invite list? ;)
P.S. Your comments re brawn, balance, acidity, & Rieslings are right down my alley as well. :)
2018 Kistler Chardonnay Stone Flat Vineyard
4/15/2024 - markydecker Likes this wine: 94 Points
Although I rarely drink big California Chardonnay, I make an exception for Kistler, and this vineyard specifically. The wine is huge in all aspects. Complex nose of honey, white flowers, tropical fruits. Long legs revealing 14.7 ABV. Full bodied and voluptuous on the palate, with pineapple, mango, guava. Extremely complex with enough acidity to balance it out. Better with some air. I am for the most part a Chablis drinker, but this wine with homemade crab cakes was a classic match. Quite enjoyable. Solid 94.
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2012 Ridge Geyserville
4/14/2024 - markydecker Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still going strong. Fruit holding in, tertiary flavors blooming, beautiful acidity and Bordeaux nuances. As always, a delight to drink. Enjoyed with family on Masters Sunday. Solid 92, sadly my last bottle. Drink or hold. Delicious.
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2014 Ridge Lytton Springs
3/29/2024 - markydecker Likes this wine: 94 Points
Solid 94 and last of my two magnums. This is now perfectly in the drinking window. 1 hour decant. Slightest amount of bricking. Dense purple in the glass. Enticing aromas of earth, forest floor, garrigue, dark fruits. Beautiful balance, nice acidity, tannins smooth and integrated. Just a beautiful wine. Opened at family dinner and it was loved by all. Consumed quickly….
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