KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2024 750ML

KISTLER VINEYARDS – LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY 2024

Premium California Chardonnay | Russian River Valley | Sonoma County

Detailed Product Description

Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay 2024 is an elegant, sophisticated California Chardonnay that showcases the exceptional winemaking craftsmanship and distinctive terroir of Sonoma County.

Produced by the highly regarded Kistler Vineyards, this wine reflects a Burgundian-inspired approach to California Chardonnay, emphasizing vineyard character, natural acidity, textural complexity, and carefully integrated French oak.

The name Les Noisetiers, meaning "The Hazelnut Trees" in French, references the characteristic nutty qualities associated with this Chardonnay.

The 2024 vintage delivers an expressive combination of citrus, ripe orchard fruit, toasted hazelnut, white flowers, chamomile, and delicate honeyed notes. Its balance of freshness, richness, and minerality creates a refined drinking experience.

1. Product Specifications

1. Producer: Kistler Vineyards
2. Wine: Les Noisetiers Chardonnay
3. Vintage: 2024
4. Country: United States
5. State: California
6. Region: Sonoma County
7. Appellation: Russian River Valley
8. Wine Type: White Wine
9. Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
10. Alcohol Content: Approximately 14.2% ABV
11. Bottle Size: 750 ml
12. Oak Aging: French oak barrels
13. Aging: Approximately 10 months on the lees
14. New Oak: Approximately 38%
15. Winemaking: Native yeast fermentation, unfined and unfiltered bottling.

Big Hammer Wines

+1

2. Vineyard Origin and Terroir

The 2024 Les Noisetiers is sourced from several vineyard sites in California's Russian River Valley, including:

1. Vine Hill
2. Trenton Roadhouse
3. Dutton Ranch
4. Laguna Ridge

These vineyards benefit from the region's cool-climate influences, including Pacific Ocean breezes and morning fog.

The area's Goldridge sandy loam soils contribute to the wine's distinctive balance of freshness, mineral character, and concentrated fruit.

Kistler uses its heritage Chardonnay selection across its vineyards, emphasizing consistency of style while allowing the individual vineyard sites to contribute their own characteristics.

3. Production and Winemaking

Kistler follows traditional Burgundian-inspired winemaking techniques, combining careful vineyard management with relatively minimal intervention in the cellar.

Harvesting: Grapes are harvested by hand, typically at night, to preserve freshness and fruit integrity.

Pressing: Whole clusters undergo gentle pressing to obtain delicate, high-quality juice.

Fermentation: Native yeasts are used for fermentation in barrels, allowing the wine to develop complexity and texture.

Oak Maturation: Approximately 10 months of aging on the lees in French oak barrels, with approximately 38% new oak.

Bottling: The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving its natural texture and aromatic expression.

This approach creates a Chardonnay with richness and depth without allowing oak to overpower the fruit.

Big Hammer Wines

+1

4. Aroma and Tasting Profile

Appearance

Beautiful pale golden-yellow color with subtle green and straw reflections. Bright, polished, and visually elegant.

Nose

Expressive aromas of citrus confit, ripe lemon, toasted hazelnut, white flowers, chamomile, and delicate honeyed notes.

Palate

A beautifully balanced combination of citrus, orchard fruit, and nutty complexity. Flavors of lemon, yellow apple, hazelnut, and subtle honey are supported by refreshing acidity and a refined mineral backbone.

Finish

Long, elegant, and persistent, with lingering citrus, delicate toasted-nut characteristics, floral notes, and subtle oak.

The 2024 vintage received a 92-point Vinous review from Antonio Galloni, highlighting its aromatic character, hazelnut, citrus confit, white flowers, and chamomile.

K&L Wine Merchants

+1

5. Detailed Flavor Characteristics

1. Citrus: Bright lemon and concentrated citrus confit provide freshness.
2. Hazelnut: A signature nutty characteristic that gives the wine its name.
3. Yellow Apple: Adds fresh orchard-fruit character.
4. White Flowers: Delicate floral aromas enhance elegance.
5. Chamomile: Subtle herbal and floral complexity.
6. Honey: Gentle honeyed notes add roundness.
7. Oak: Carefully integrated toasted-wood characteristics contribute depth.
8. Minerality: A refined mineral backbone balances the wine's richness.

6. Serving Recommendations

1. Serving Temperature: 10–13°C (50–55°F).
2. Glassware: Large Burgundy-style Chardonnay glass.
3. Decanting: Optional; brief aeration can help reveal its aromatic complexity.
4. Drinking Style: Excellent served on its own or alongside fine cuisine.

7. Food Pairing Recommendations

Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay 2024 pairs particularly well with:

1. Butter-poached lobster.
2. Grilled scallops.
3. Pan-seared halibut.
4. Roasted chicken with herbs.
5. Seared salmon.
6. Shrimp with garlic butter.
7. Risotto with mushrooms.
8. Creamy pasta dishes.
9. Brie, Comté, and aged Gruyère cheeses.

Its acidity balances rich seafood and creamy sauces, while its hazelnut and oak characteristics complement roasted poultry and richer dishes.

8. Aging Potential and Collectibility

Kistler is a respected name among collectors of premium California Chardonnay.

The 2024 Les Noisetiers offers an appealing combination of immediate drinking pleasure and potential for further bottle development.

Its acidity, fruit concentration, oak integration, and overall structure provide a foundation for additional complexity with proper cellaring.

A suggested drinking window from one merchant's published critic information is 2026–2032.

MW Wines

+1

9. Overall Product Description

Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay 2024 is a sophisticated expression of premium California Chardonnay, combining the richness of Sonoma County fruit with the elegance of Burgundian-inspired winemaking.

Its expressive aromatic profile features citrus confit, hazelnut, white flowers, chamomile, and delicate honeyed notes. On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance of orchard fruit, refreshing acidity, creamy texture, and integrated French oak.

Produced from carefully selected Russian River Valley vineyard sites and matured on its lees, this wine demonstrates Kistler's commitment to quality, terroir, and refined craftsmanship.

An elegant, beautifully structured, and highly regarded California Chardonnay, ideal for fine dining, premium wine collections, and memorable occasions.

Vintage highlight: 92 points from Vinous for the 2024 vintage.

Producer: Kistler Vineyards, Sonoma County, California.

Signature characteristic: Citrus, toasted hazelnut, floral complexity, and refined mineral freshness.