Does anyone have any experience with Kistlers outside of the Chards? Morrell had a Kistler on the list, SB perhaps, that I considered trying.

mdriver -

Are you sure that wasn't the Kistler Les Noisetiers chardonnay on Morrell's wine by the glass list?

Outside of chardonnay, I have not tasted any Kistler bottlings. To my knowledge, they only currently product chardonnay and Pinot Noir (which I have but have not consumed yet).

If memory serves me, I believe I saw a Kistler Cabernet Sauvignon from the early 90s on auction somewhere. I could have been seeing things though...

Short -

Does Morrell have the Kistler Pinot by the glass? I could've sworn it was a white, non-Chard, but maybe I'm wrong. It's been known to happen.

No Kistler Pinots by the glass unfortunately. They are very difficult to come by and probably wouldn't make it to the 'by the glass list.'

It must have been the one you mentioned, then. Have you had it? I'm really not at all a Chard fan, but there is so much hype surrounding these wines, I'm inclined to try one.

Many will disagree with me, but I found the Les Noisetiers (2000 vintage) to be absolutely delicious.

I bought two bottles just to complete my case allocation on my first offering from Kistler. I wish I had purchased more.

I have also tried the '99 Vine Hill (94-97 RP) and the '99 Kistler Vineyard and both were very good. But for some reason, I enjoyed the Les Nois better.

Could have been the food pairing, my general mood, or the fact that the single vineyards need cellaring.

The Les Nois is not worth what Morrells is charging though.

Perhaps when we hook up for dinner - I'll bring the '99 Ojai Pisoni and some Kistler chards/pinots!

STW -

Kistler produced some cabernet in the 'early years', but Steve K. wasn't able to produce cab that he liked, so his focus went to chard and pinot, at least that's my recollection from an article I read a year or two ago.

Kistler only makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They used to make a Cab, but they no longer do.

Short, I would give the '99 Vine Hill another shot and decant it for about 40 min-1 hr. It will sing a song you've never heard before.

jb

WOW! That would be most generous of you, Short. So, are we doing dinner at Morrell?

I acutally intended to drop you an off-line about the details, but have been so wrapped up in this forum I haven't had a chance.

Kistler's cabs from the mid 80s were really good. I was sorry when he stopped making them. While his Chards have plenty of competition, his Pinots only have a select few. Cuvee Elisabeth is his best but even the Sonoma Coast is quite fine. Production of Pinot has increased recently so there may one day be more than just 50 cases of the Elisabeth produced.

I'll certainly keep my eyes open for some of the Pinot. However, based on what's written here, I may be looking for quite a while.

mdriver,
True... unless you're willing to join their mailing list and spend significant $$$ to stay on it.

Well, I really don't care for Chards but, as I've said, I have yet to try any of his.

I guess I'd have to weigh how much I like the Pinot (if I ever get to taste it) and how much I dislike the Chard versus the $$$.

Right now, I'll take my chances with finding a bottle of the Pinot.

STW-- I actually enjoy the Les Noissettiers, too. You are not alone.

Of the Kistler Chards I have had from my spring mailer it was the Les Noistiers I enjoyed the most. Shortly after that I had the 1999 Kistler vineyard Chardonnay and it did not quite stack up to the enjoyment of the Les Noistiers. Many have told me the single vineyard Chardonnay's need some time and they should drink better in a few years. I did notice that the rating for the 1999 Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay from RP did go from 94-96 to 93 points.

seek1,
Thanks for the comments. My only bottle of Le Noistiers (a 99) seemed awfully good to me, yet was panned by most posters on the WS forum.
It's still available on a few auctions, so I might give it a look.

seek, you need to let the Kistler sit in your glass for a good long time. At the 10/19 LBI dinner, I nursed my last ounces of juice for 3 hours. It was best around the 2-2.5 hour mark. Just ask jb.

I had the 2000 Les Noisetiers off the restaurant list (it was the value buy on the list - $85) and it performed quite well. Good acidity, thinner than most Kistler Chards but it still had the trademark Kistler vanilla flavored viscosity. Drinking great now. The wine is exactly what Steve Kistler intends it to be - a great restaurant Chardonnay. 88 points.

As an aside, dinner was very well done. Quintessential French brasserie food at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. Despite the decline in tourists in Napa in November, Jeanty was packed. Recommended.

Jones, good to know about Bistro Jeanty. Plan on hitting it the next time I am out that way (which will sadly be most likely not before 2004 -- unless I become independently wealthy that is!).