2022 Occidental Pinot Noir, Freestone-Occidental, Sonoma County, California (750ml)   

Lisa Perrotti-Brown wrote: "Of course, the Kistler story doesn’t end with Kistler Vineyards. Steve Kistler’s pioneering spirit and pursuit of world class Pinot Noir took him to Occidental/Freestone and beyond, with vineyards extending right out to the Bodega Headlands, practically within spitting distance of the Pacific Ocean.

The vineyards for his Occidental Wines label were planted in the early 2000s, when few were even considering this now sought-after 'extreme' coastal area. When I asked Steve about the clones he planted, he replied with a secretive grin, 'It’s mostly Calera and some suitcase stuff that is very proprietary.'" The 2022 Freestone-Occidental wine shares the same winemaking techniques as our vineyard designated pinot noirs. Crystalline, bright, mouthwatering, and a bit salty with a saline mineral finish, the 2022 Freestone-Occidental evokes juicy red berries and a near perfect balance of finesse and energy – of bright, primary red fruits and saline elements. It conveys outstanding precision and lift in the mouth and finishes vibrant and long with beautifully sculpted tannins. Its modest alcohol (13.3%) makes this wine a perfect complement to any meal. It is delicious now and will develop nicely in bottle.