2019 Bodega Headlands Cuvee Elizabeth Pinot Noir
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The 2019 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvée Elizabeth is a glorious, magical wine that I can’t get enough of. Pale ruby-purple, it offers incredibly pure, kaleidoscopic aromas: blueberry, pomegranate and cranberry are layered with accents of nori, iron, bergamot and soaring floral perfume. The light-bodied palate is pure, bright and seamless, offering incredible concentration without weight. It features complex spice and bitters-laced flavors framed by velvety tannins, ending with an intoxicatingly long, nuanced finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands is bright and energetic with aromas of red fruit, cedar, layered spice, and orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied and has a silky texture, with fine tannins and an incredibly long finish revealing saline minerality. Drink 2024-2037. 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.
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Cuvée Elizabeth is bright, fresh, floral and effusive from the very first taste. Crushed rose petal, lavender and red/purplish berry fruit all grace this elegant, supremely beautiful Pinot. There is a feeling of transparency to the Cuvée Elizabeth that is beguiling. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. (AG)
About the producer
Steve Kistler is a man who needs little introduction. He founded, and – for almost 40 years – made the wines at, Kistler. Since leaving his eponymous estate in 2017, Kistler has been focused exclusively on Occidental, his new, family winery on the outer edges of the Sonoma Coast.