Kistler Chardonnay Russian River Valley Vine Hill Vineyard 2017

Kistler makes a total of 11 vineyard-designated Chardonnays from various sites, mostly in Sonoma, and winemaker Jason Kesner calls the Vine Hill bottling one of his favorites. The vineyard surrounds the winery in the Russian River Valley and is planted with a California heritage clone Kistler has refined; the low-yielding vines are rooted in soil that is very sandy. The berries they produce are small in size, their concentrated fruit flavors backed by high natural acidity that helps promote long-term aging. This wine was barrel-fermented with native yeast and then aged on the lees for a year before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Note

Complex, with crunchy acidity to the concentrated citrus and McIntosh apple flavors. Intense minerality shows midpalate, followed by a pure and powerful finish that lingers with dried savory herb and toasty hints. Best from 2022 through 2027.—Kim Marcus