Kistler chardonnay losing the oak?

[SteveTimko]

Interesting article in the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/din...
I could never understand the attraction to Kistler Chardonnay. Has anyone tasted it? How much less oaky is it? Because they killed a lot of trees to make that wine.

[njfoodies]

What vintage was the change made? I've been buying these wines since the '97 vintage, and love them with age. Not just the pinot, but the chard as well. The chards seem to drink really well around year 7. May have an '05 Vine Hill this weekend just to check in on it. -mJ

[Splendid Wine Snob]

Recently had the 07 Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay and I still think there's far too much oak. Not a fan of Kistler but happy to hear they're scaling the oak back.

[ibstatguy]

back in the day it was the "bomb" but I was pleased to read Asimov's article as well; the pendulum is clearly moving back to a more restrained style...

[invinotheresverde]

I've had a few of their products in the past, but the overt oak just ain't my bag. Glad to hear they're tapering some of the gaudy oak. That can only make for a more impressive, balanced, food-friendly product.