2000 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill

Rating: 91 points Drink: 2002-2010

The 1,800-case cuvee of 2000 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard is long and textured. Along with its liquid minerality, it possesses orange marmalade/tangerine, citrus oil, white fruit, and subtle wood notes. The wine is medium to full-bodied and admirably perfumed. This is a stunning Chardonnay to enjoy over the next 7-8 years. —Robert Parker (Aug 2002)

2001 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill

Rating: 95 points Drink: 2003-2011

A brilliant effort, the 2001 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard is tightly-knit, but full-bodied and powerful, with an oily texture buttressed by considerable acidity. Citrus oil, buttered tropical fruit, mineral, and roasted nut characteristics are present in this gorgeous offering. Full-bodied, pure yet well-structured, this terrific effort will drink well for 5-8 years.

—Robert Parker (Dec 2003)

2002 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill

Rating: 92-95 points (barrel tasting) Drink: 2005-2012

A spectacular offering, the 2002 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard (adjacent to the Kistler winery) tastes like a California version of a great Batard-Montrachet. This dense, rich, layered, multidimensional Chardonnay

builds incrementally in the mouth to reveal leesy notes intermixed with liquid minerals, lemon rind, citrus oils, and orange marmalade. Like its siblings, it reveals subtle oak notes along with great purity, tremendous palate presence, full body, and a majestic style. —Robert Parker (Dec 2003)

2003 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill

Rating: 96-98 points (barrel tasting) Drink: 2006-2015

From the vineyard surrounding the winery, the 2003 Chardonnay Vine Hill looks to be one of the candidates for the Chardonnay of the vintage. Truly profound stuff, with a stunning nose of tangerines, orange marmalade,

and lemon custard, this layered, full-bodied wine has superb purity, striking minerality, and builds incrementally in the mouth, finishing with rather high-toned flavors that are buttressed by good, crisp acidity. It is a prodigious Chardonnay and comes across like a California version of Chevalier-Montrachet. This wine is young and unevolved, and I suspect it will hit its prime in 1-3 years and last for up to a decade.  —Robert Parker (Feb 2005)

2004 Kistler Chardonnay Vine Hill

Rating: 94-96 points (barrel tasting)

Hints of ripe pears, lemon butter, tangerines, and crushed rocks emerge from the 2004 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard, an elegant yet authoritatively flavored effort with a striking minerality, zesty acidity, and a spectacular finish. The good news is that there are 2,700 cases of this

cuvee. —Robert Parker (Dec 2005)

Value: $500

Donor: Alicia Miñana & Rob Lovelace