2003 Kistler Chardonnay "Cuvée Cathleen". Kistler Vineyard, Sonoma County, California. 14.1% alcohol. $75. 532 cases produced.
Slightly cloudy, medium gold colored wine with fairly strong and bright aromas of lemon liqueur, corn silk, flint, and deft, vanilla tinged oak. Taut but persistent flavors echo the nose. Loads of acid coupled with good viscosity. A little reserved right now but a year in the cellar (as it always does for this wine) will do wonders for the wine. From vines planted in 1979 and 1995 to the Mount Eden clone, this wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered after aging in 100% French oak. As opposed to prior vintages, the 2003 Cuvée Cathleen comes entirely from the Kistler Estate Vineyard. As such, in 2003 this wine can really be thought of as a "Kistler Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay". Drink 2007 to 2010. 93 points.