2019 Kistler Vineyard Cuvee Cathleen Chardonnay Sonoma Valley
Notes
Green-tinged pale yellow. Classic. Complex. Complete. Beyond site lie distinct block specific aromatics of barely opening and almost opened lime blossom, juicy ripe pear, dried herbs, nut oils and crushed shale. An always multilayered wine simply packed with flavor and a weighted density all its own, well buttressed by its acidity. Annually one of our most comprehensive Chardonnays from an aroma and flavor perspective yet it comes from just one special block in the vineyard on its own hill that faces the afternoon sun. Decant if enjoyed early but just a few years in the cellar will allow the individual parts of this bottling to begin to truly coalesce.
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98 points
Jeb Dunnuck
Meyer lemons, incredible crushed stone-like minerality, nectarines, wood smoke, and grilled bread are all some of the nuances emerging from the 2019 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard Cuvee Cathleen, a rich, deep, concentrated Chardonnay that also possesses bright, crisp acidity. This cuvée always brings the richness and opulence in the lineup, yet it still has a liqueur of rocks-like sensation on the palate and finish. It's up-front and loaded with fruit, and certainly offers pleasure, but give this a year or two of bottle age. It will shine for a solid decade.
97 points
Vinous, Antonio Galloni
The 2019 Chardonnay Kistler Vineyard Cuvée Cathleen is all density, power and texture. At times, the Cuvée feels more like a red wine. Dried flowers, lemon peel, marzipan, sage and mint confer striking complexity. Readers will find a dense, potent mountain Chardonnay that delivers the goods and then some. In 2019, the Cuvée is especially fine.
97 points
Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate
The 2019 Chardonnay Cuvée Cathleen takes time to open up to delicate wafts of white lilac, Meyer lemon, quince peel and sea spray, with hints of beeswax and almonds. The palate offers incredible tension between surprisingly generous fruits and tangy, salty lift. Its expansive, honey-laced flavors linger for an extraordinarily long finish. Wow! It deserves another 2-3 years in bottle at least.
