Wine information:
Kistler Vineyards is a small, family established and privately owned and operated winery dedicated to the vinification of world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir using old world Burgundian techniques. Kistler's Single Vineyard Chardonnays are made using traditional French techniques, with the winemaker himself performing the cellar work on the wines. Les Noisetiers is a a combination of specific lots from Kistler's vineyards in far western Sonoma County. Kistler found that there was an inherent minerality to wine produced from their vineyards planted on the coastal sandy goldridge soils. An austere, low pH, high acid wine, Les Noisetiers is driven by mineral characters as opposed to fruit, and is a natural compliment to food. It is made from 100% Chardonnay, whole cluster pressed and undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation in barrel. It is then transferred to 30% new 3 year air dried French oak barrels and 70% one year old barrels where it is aged sur lie for 11 months. It is then bottled without filtration or fining. Vibrant green-yellow. Distinct nose of minerals, earth, and refined noble sulfides. A medium-weight, balanced presence on the palate, tightly wound around a resounding acid core, that carries through and beyond the crisp, yet lengthy and lasting finish.