2008 Kistler Pinot Noir Cuvee Natalie

(91-94 Points Made primarily from the Swan clone, the 2008 Pinot Noir Cuvee Natalie Silver Boat reveals copious raspberry, cherry, spice box, earth, tobacco leaf, and forest floor characteristics in its seductive, velvety-textured, full-bodied personality. It possesses a feminine quality reminiscent of a Chambolle-Musigny from Burgundy. It, too, should drink well for a decade. Wine Advocate # 187, Feb 2010 Following the brilliant success of Kistler’s 2007s, Steve Kistler and his sidekick, Mark Bixler, deserve kudos for what they have achieved in the more challenging 2008 vintage. This is the first vintage in which 100% of the fermentations were indigenous, and, fortunately, all their Sonoma Coast vineyards were far enough south that they were not tainted by any of the smoke from the ferocious fires that spread through Mendocino. The 2008s appear to be slightly more fruit-forward, with a touch less minerality than the 2007s. They are full-bodied, impressively endowed wines, with the Chardonnays best drunk during their first 5-7 years of life, and the Pinot Noirs during their first 10-12.