2022 Bodega Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Coming from the upper ridgetop blocks, the 2022 Pinot Noir Bodega Ridge Vineyard reveals notes of black raspberries, wild brambly herbs, fresh sage, mossy earth, and wet stones. I love this wine's focus and compact nature. It has a lovely feel now and a wide window for enjoyment, with toasted incense spice and a long haunting finish. Drink 2025-2045. The estate of Steve Kistler and his family in the Bodega Headlands, Occidental is exclusively devoted to producing coastally influenced Pinot Noir, and they are members of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association. Kistler was initially drawn to the area after tasting a bottling of Summa Vineyard that expressed a vivid and more cool climate style. Although 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 for the past 30 years. His daughter, Catherine Kistler, has been the assistant winemaker since 2017. Each of the wines tasted for this report are their vineyard-designated selections, which are held back an additional year prior to release.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
More reviews and scores
Deep, bright crimson. Explosive fruit – a little sweet and still very polished – but it has quite an impact on the palate. Though, again, like all these Occidental wines, it's not one of the most persistent. (JR)
The 2022 Pinot Noir Bodega Ridge Vineyard is a powerful, deep wine. A blast of dark red/purplish fruit, wildflowers, gravel, orange peel, mint, sage and tobacco all open with some reluctance. This is the most virile, somber of the wines in this range. The taut, vibrant finish is salivating, but there is plenty of breadth on the back end waiting to emerge
The 2022 Pinot Noir Bodega Ridge Vineyard has layered aromas of cranberry sauce, Earl Grey tea leaves, bitters and foresty undertones, and it becomes more floral as it airs in the glass. The palate derives power from its sheer concentration of pure, expressive, spicy fruit. It’s structured by powdery tannins, and its tremendously juicy, mouthwatering acidity lures you back again and again for another sip.
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.