The 1997 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard (made from the Mt. Eden clone, which is alleged to be a suitcase clone from Burgundy's Corton-Charlemagne vineyard) is a multi-dimensional wine with a rich, full-bodied, creamy texture, superb buttery, honeyed fruit, subtle pain grille (toast), gorgeously rich fruit, white flowers, buttered popcorn, and liquid gravel-like notes. Combining power with finesse, it should drink well young, and age for 5-7 years. Steve Kistler believes the 1997 Chardonnays are among the finest he has ever produced. The vintage's high yields do not appear to have had an impact on the wines' level of concentration and intensity. Moreover, the 1997's possess an atypical level of tangy, underlying acidity, giving the wines a wonderful vibrancy. The splendid aromatics are matched only by the 1995's. I tasted 8 Chardonnays. While they share a certain similarity, they posssess distinctive attributes that justify the winery's decision to differentiate them. All are fermented with both indigenous and commercial yeasts, given extensive stirring during prolonged contact with the lees, and bottled unfiltered after full malolactic fermentation. The percentage of new French oak varies, with higher percentages for the Camp Meeting Ridge, Hudson, and Cuvee Cathleen offerings. Release date, 3/00. Tel. (707) 823-5603; Fax (707) 823-6709.

The 1997 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard (made from the Mt. Eden clone, which is alleged to be a suitcase clone from Burgundy's Corton-Charlemagne vineyard) is a multi-dimensional wine with a rich, full-bodied, creamy texture, superb buttery, honeyed fruit, subtle pain grille (toast), gorgeously rich fruit, white flowers, buttered popcorn, and liquid gravel-like notes. Combining power with finesse, it should drink well young, and age for 5-7 years.Steve Kistler believes the 1997 Chardonnays are among the finest he has ever produced. The vintage's high yields do not appear to have had an impact on the wines' level of concentration and intensity. Moreover, the 1997's possess an atypical level of tangy, underlying acidity, giving the wines a wonderful vibrancy. The splendid aromatics are matched only by the 1995's. I tasted 8 Chardonnays. While they share a certain similarity, they posssess distinctive attributes that justify the winery's decision to differentiate them. All are fermented with both indigenous and commercial yeasts, given extensive stirring during prolonged contact with the lees, and bottled unfiltered after full malolactic fermentation. The percentage of new French oak varies, with higher percentages for the Camp Meeting Ridge, Hudson, and Cuvee Cathleen offerings.Release date, 3/00.Tel. (707) 823-5603; Fax (707) 823-6709.