Occidental (Kistler) Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental Sonoma Coast 2022

Occidental Vineyards, founded by renowned vintner Steve Kistler, is dedicated to producing world-class Pinot Noir from the coastal headlands of the Freestone-Occidental area on the Sonoma Coast. Steve Kistlers passion for coastal vineyards began during his early career at Ridge Vineyards, where he developed an appreciation for the unique characteristics of wines from maritime climates. This passion led him to establish Occidental in 2011, focusing exclusively on Pinot Noir from some of the coolest and latest ripening sites in western Sonoma.

Critical Acclaim

98 Wine Advocate

The 2021 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental is incredibly expressive and detailed! Its aromas open slowly from blueberry, rhubarb and cranberry to tones of bitter orange, amaro, mossy bark and lavender, continuing to reveal new accents with each return to the glass. Light-bodied, it floods the mouth with fragrant, detailed fruit supported by chalky tannins and focused, shimmery acidity that calls you in for another sip. It has a haunting finish loaded with spicy layers, and it’s very difficult to put this delicious wine down. Drink it now for its transparency and perfume, or allow it to develop savory complexity in bottle over the next decade.

95 Jeb Dunnuck

A youthful deep ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental is highly expressive with wild lavender, kirsch, and fresh mountain herbs. Full-bodied, with youthful suppleness to its fruit at this stage, it has the same fantastic salinity thats present across this whole lineup Occidental.

95 Vinous

The 2021 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental is outrageously beautiful. Rich, heady and explosive, the 2021 is captivating right out of the gate. Inky dark red fruit, blood orange, game, spice, cedar, pipe tobacco, pomegranate and exotic flowers build as this, dense, potent Pinot shows off its tremendous resonance and textural depth. Wow!

94 Wine Spectator

Boasts blackberry and plum fruit enlivened by a light savory thread, while anise and iris notes add range through the sleek, tangy finish. Shows a nice underlying mineral edge, which adds subtle tension throughout. Refined.

93 James Suckling

Crunchy and vivid with plenty of energy, focusing on the strawberry and raspberry character with a slight umami undertone that suggests that this comes from near the sea on the West Sonoma Coast. Lively acidity and integrated tannins. Delicious now.