Occidental Station Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

Steve Kistler, founder and winemaker of Kistler Vineyards for 37 years, has established a new Pinot Noir brand, “Occidental”, dedicated to the production of world-class pinot noir from the Freestone-Occidental area. Currently, Occidental produces three vineyard designated Pinot Noirs: Bodega Headlands, SWK Vineyard, and Occidental Station. These extreme coastal sites are among the coldest and latest ripening vineyards in the Freestone-Occidental area.

The purity of the 2019 Pinot Noir Occidental Station Vineyard evokes the resonating tone of a tuning fork and offers the same satisfaction every time I open a bottle. On the nose, a well of dark red fruit is complemented by pure, detailed accents of licorice, lavender, bergamot, tea leaves and iron. The light-bodied palate is tremendously concentrated for its slender frame—vertical acidity and powdery tannins are knit into luxurious waves of spicy, floral fruit. It finishes with an impressive flourish of iron and spice and will be very long lived in the cellar. Wine Advocate 98