KISTLER 2003 Sonoma Chardonnay - "Les Noisetiers"

While it wouldn't have been hard to predict that this would be a good wine, the surprise was how good it was. The balance of the wine was excellent, with a firm rich full body, good acids and an eternal finish. The wine was very complex, with loads of fruit and just enough earth and oak to balance it. Some of the key notes were banana, pear, fig, and white mushrooms. Not over oaked, nor overly buttery. The finish was the best part of it, and it seemed to last for a good minute while going through waves of rich flavors.

Also the pairing was interesting. I bought it to go with my friends meal, which was a halibut and scallop combo in a butter sauce. However, it worked with my beef wellington, as long as I didn't use too much of the red wine sauce. I have often known that it could be done, but to see how it worked out, I was amazed. The truffles and meat made some of the more earthy elements come out, and the puff pastry awoke the fruit. Only the red wine sauce was enough to overpower it, but everything else just worked.

This is typically a restaurant only wine, and it is worth the price. If you are looking for a rich, well balanced chardonnay with complexity to the nines, this is your wine. Platinum Hammer.