Kistler McCrea Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Based in Sonoma County, Kistler Vineyards was established in 1978 by Mark Bixler and Steve Kistler, with a vision to produce exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. They have a portfolio of ten vineyard-designated Chardonnay wines and four vineyard-designated Pinot Noir wines which represent some of California's finest expressions of these Burgundian varieties.

The McCrea Vineyard is located on the eastern flank of Sonoma Mountain with a rare mix of volcanic soils and limestone. This is usually one of Kistler's most elegant wines, typically  defined by white flowers and lime blossom with a chalk-driven, ethereal core of fruit.

94/100 - The 2021 Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard is fabulous. Rich, deep and super-expressive, the 2021 offers a beguiling mix of intense mineral-driven savoriness with a tropical flair I don't recall seeing in this wine before. A Chardonnay of structure and intensity, the McCrea is superb in 2021. The density of low yields comes through loud and clear. This is a fabulous McCrea. As always, the vineyard designate wine emerges from portions of the vineyard with white volcanic soils, while blocks planted on reddish soils are used for the Sonoma Valley Chardonnay that is typically sold only into restaurants. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous