Wine in Focus - Kistler Vineyards

When Steve Kistler established his stunning Californian winery in Sonoma County back in 1978, he was aiming for perfection. Almost 45 years later, Kistler is renowned for producing some of the best Chardonnay in the world. The vinification techniques used are based on those of the top Burgundian producers such as the legendary Coche-Dury. 

The Angel Inn is one of only a tiny few, mostly Michelin Starred, restaurants in the UK having the rare privilege of having an allocation of these gems in its cellar.

We currently have two top wines from Kistler vineyards. We asked our sommelier, Valario Vallani to say a little more about the Kistler wines we can offer our guests:

"I am so excited and fortunate to be able to offer our guests some of Kistler's top wines.

First, we have the amazing Kistler Curvee Cathleen 2015. This is a stunning wine and can hold its own with the very top white burgundies. The wine is layered and textured with a perfect balance of lasting minerality and acidity. With notes of dried apricot, jasmine, and fennel together with a fresh, stone minerality. It has a long and complex finish. 

Then we have the outstanding Kistler Hyde Vineyard 2015. This wine has a bold and complex character with notes of white flowers, green apple and lime, and elegant buttery notes from a gentle use of oak. On the palate it shows all the potential of becoming an eternal wine: flashing acidity, purity of the fruit and a salinity that come straight from the marine loam soil of the vineyard. The secret of this masterpiece is attention to details, from harvesting at 3 am to pick the grapes in their best moment of the day, to maturation in premium French oak barrels."

Valario says these wines are of such greatness that they can hold their own with most food choices, but he feels each of the Kistler Chardonnay wines would be a very special and majestic accompaniment to our Langoustine Carpaccio and Smoked Salmon starters as well as the Brill or Sole main courses.

We have already had a number of discerning guests who have spotted this rare visitor to these shores and decided to make their dining experience even more special by enjoying a bottle of what Valario calls 'pure perfection'.