Kistler 2022 Cuvee Catheleen Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley

Kistler Cuvee Cathleen Chardonnay  - rare new release. 96 Points Robert Parker: "The Kistler 2022 Chardonnay Cuvée Cathleen possesses a unique sense of freshness and exoticism. Its aromas bloom slowly as it airs in the glass: flint, toast and beeswax give way to pure scents of Meyer lemon, underripe pineapple, white peach and meringue. The palate has a silky texture and explodes with layer after layer of concentrated, green tropical fruit. Its generosity is foiled by fireworks of fresh acidity that add an ethereal sensation, and it finishes with fantastic length and crisp white floral character." ..the single-vineyard wines all represent much smaller quantities of wine. There have been several noticeable changes in the Kistler wines over the last few years, as they are certainly picking the Pinot Noir at an earlier date and going for less extraction, more fragrance and delicacy. The Chardonnays are still powerful wines but they have backed off the new oak to about 40%. (About 10 years ago, it was around 60%.) Other than that they are still potent and rich Chardonnays that are meant to be drunk in their first 4-6 years of life. It is my experience that aging Kistler wine has not been generally as successful as I would have hoped.."