Occidental Winery - Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir 2020
Price: $64.99
Producer | Occidental Winery |
Country | California |
Region | Sonoma Coast |
Varietal | Pinot Noir |
Vintage | 2020 |
Sku | 28025 |
Jeb Dunnuck: 95 Points
"The 2020 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental is highly aromatic and has a perfume of incense, all spice, and ripe red cherry fruit. The palate medium-bodied and inviting, with tangy cherry, dried black raspberry, and savory umami herbs. It offers a lot of pleasure now, but it will be fantastic to enjoy over the next 10 or more years.
The estate of Steve Kistler and his family in the Bodega Headlands, Occidental is exclusively devoted to the production of coastally influenced Pinot Noir. Kistler was initially drawn to the area after tasting a bottling of Summa Vineyard that expressed a vivid and more cool climate style. Though Occidental was officially founded in 2011, Steve has been planting vineyards and purchasing property in the area since the 1990s and has retained his original cellar team from the past 30 years. His daughter, Catherine Kistler, has been the assistant winemaker since 2017. They are members of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association, which was approved as the newest AVA of Sonoma in May of this year."
Wine Spectator: 95 Points
"Offers lots of energy, with a burst of plum and blackberry fruit backed by bouncy anise and bramble accents, all carried by fresh, lively acidity. Light savory details add range on the finish, as the fruit takes an encore. A bit showy in style, but most folks won't complain about that. Drink now through 2030. From California."