2018 Cuvee Natalie Silver Belt Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting Notes
The 2018 Pinot Noir Silver Belt Vineyard Cuvée Natalie opens with a burst of ripe red/purplish berry fruit. Iron, game, savory herbs and rose petal add layers of intrigue. Overall, though the Cuvée Natalie remains a bit austere and unyielding. The aromatics are quite expressive, and yet the wine is far less forthcoming on the palate. Star anise, blood orange and spice give the 2018 an attractive exotic quality. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 comes together a bit more fully with time in bottle.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
There are two Pinot Noirs from this great estate, and while they ferment at higher temperatures and quickly with their Chardonnay, they take the opposite approach with their reds. These were both destemmed and brought up in 40% new French oak. The 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvee Natalie is the more delicate, cool-climate styled release and offers a beautiful perfume of redcurrants, black raspberries, rose petals, gunpowder, and forest notes. Medium-bodied, elegant, and beautifully balanced, it will evolve for 10-15 years or more.
About the producer
Kistler’s Chardonnays are some of the world’s most sought-after. This cult Californian producer crafts small volumes of exceptional, rich and generous, yet mineral and precise wines. With almost the entire production sold directly to their mailing list, the wines are also incredibly hard to find.