2022 Occidental Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2022 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard comes from the steepest and highest section of the vineyard next door to the winery and is a youthful ruby red color. It offers compact berry-like fruit and wet stones, and it’s sporty and refined, with finely coiled tannins, a note of windswept berries, and super-tight, salty freshness, with cooling mineral lift. It’s not weighted, and it’s zesty, fresh, and long on the finish. With plenty of tension but never feeling green, this is a profound wine. 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
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Bit of sediment in this! Much more savoury than the first two Occidental wines (Freestone-Occidental 2023 and Cuvée Elizabeth 2022), with chew but not aggressive tannins. Though all these wines share an almost unnerving polish! (JR)
The 2022 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard is jam-packed with sweet red fruit aromas: raspberry, pomegranate and rhubarb are complemented by nuances of blood orange, nori and flint. The light-bodied palate balances concentrated, crunchy flavors and soaring floral perfume with lacy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, dynamic finish. It opened dramatically over several days and will benefit from several years in the cellar.
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.