Kistler Vineyards is an icon of California wine production which needs little introduction. Their philosophy is intently focused on expressing California's unique terroirs, so they make wines from one single Californian heritage clone ('Wente') whose parent material was imported from Burgundy in the early 20th Century and has since adapted to California's climate and soils over generations. It tends to small berries with good acidity retention, which results in deep flavour concentration and great freshness. They have 15 sites across premium regions of California, from Carneros to the Sonoma Coast. The idea is that every wine gets the same reverential Burgundian style treatment, so that the nuances in the glass are entirely as a result of terroir, with little other varying factor.
Les Noisetieres is a blend from a handful of different sites in coastally influenced Sonoma. 'Noisette' being the French for Hazlenut hints at the slightly nutty quality this wine is known to develop, along with a stunning seashell minerality. The coastal influence is palpable, even on visiting the winery's cellar door at Trenton Roadhouse, and translates into a palpable freshness and energy that counterbalances the luxurious richness of the ripe fruit - peach, apricot and pear with honeysuckle florals. A very refined Chardonnay true to its California roots - impeccably balanced richness and a world-class Chardonnay by any measure.
“Kistler Vineyards remains one of the absolute benchmark producers of great Sonoma Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, sitting right up there with the highest quality examples of these grapes from throughout the world." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
