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: 2011 Kistler "McCrea Vineyard" Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay

2011 Kistler "McCrea Vineyard" Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay

SKU #1146393 93 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The 2011 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard displays vivid notes of wet stones, white currants and unbuttered popcorn along with medium body and a boatload of fruit. It should drink well for 4-5 years. (RP) There has been a progressive trend by Kistler’s winemaking team and owners to harvest at slightly lower sugars, back off slightly on the percentage of new oak used, and bottle their wines earlier. All of this is designed to preserve as much fruit and freshness in the wines as possible. (RP) Inner quote mark (12/2013)

92 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Pale gold. High-pitched citrus fruit and floral scents are complicated by a zesty, chalky nuance. Dry, mineral-driven lemon and green apple flavors show a suave blend of power and finesse. The floral qualities come back strong on the finish, which lingers with excellent stony persistence. (ST) Inner quote mark (5/2014)

92 points Vinous

Outer quote mark The 2011 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard is wonderfully open and expressive for a Chardonnay from this long, cool growing season. Hazelnut, almond, dried pear and a gentle hint of spice flesh out in a resonant Chardonnay to drink now and over the next handful of years. The 2011 is round and layered to the core, with lovely mid-palate pliancy and terrific overall balance. (AG) Inner quote mark (2/2014)

91 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Rich and creamy, with well-integrated fig, light toasty oak, green apple and pineapple notes. The refreshing finish echoes ripe, clean flavors. (JL) Inner quote mark (7/2014)

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2011 Kistler "McCrea Vineyard" Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay

Price: $79.99

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Varietal:

Chardonnay

- It's hard to believe that up until about 30 years ago, this extremely popular varietal hid behind the veil of geographical names like Chablis and Puligny-Montrachet. Now grown all over the world and bottled by its varietal name, Chardonnay has achieved a level of branding unlike any other wine. Surprisingly, though, what you get when you buy Chardonnay can differ greatly from country to country and even within one country, depending on the climate where it's grown and how it is vinified and aged. From fresh, crisp and minerally with apple and lemon notes to rich and buttery with tropical fruit overtones, Chardonnay runs the gamut. In France's Burgundy, Chardonnay is the source of the prized wines of Chablis, Corton-Charlemagne, Mâcon, Meursault and Montrachet. It also the foundation of exceptional Champagne, where it is blended with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier or vinified on its own into Blanc de Blancs. It is also extremely popular in California, and is gaining popularity in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and South Africa.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Sonoma County

- Second in fame only to Napa, this "other" valley offers just about every climate and topography imaginable. From its cool and fog-enshrouded coastal regions on the far west, to the sprawling Alexander Valley on the boarder of Napa and the many little dips and peaks in between, Sonoma has been a vital wine-grape-growing region since the mid 1800s. Important sub-AVAs include Chalk Hill (known for chardonnay and sauvignon blanc), Dry Creek Valley (where zin is king) Knights Valley (largely cabernet land), Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast (both celebrated pinot and chardonnay zones).