New Release: Occidental Pinot Noir, Freestone-Occidental | 2023

In 2011, winemaker Steve Kistler founded Occidental. His mission was simple — create world-class Pinot Noir in Sonoma’s Freestone-Occidental area. Renowned for his opulent and age-worthy Kistler Chardonnays, it was the Kistler Pinot Noirs, to me, which were supreme. Newly released, the 2023 Freestone-Occidental is a blend of vineyards from the Bodega Headlands, Occidental Station, and Bodega Ridge sites and shares the same winemaking techniques as the pricier vineyard-designate wines. What I love about Steve's Pinots is the quality of the fruit, which supersedes pristine. Perfectly California ripe, crunchy flowers and black tea spice lift the palate, followed by those long, cold breaths of foggy earth. Easily one of the most delicious expressions of Pinot Noir under $100, your choice doesn't have to be Burgundy when it's Steve Kistler. ~Allegra A