2012 Occidental SWK Vineyard

Occidental is a Pinot Noir brand established by the celebrated winemaker Steve Kistler, founder and winemaker at Kistler Vineyards. Occidental plans to make a maximum of 7,500 cases annually of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. To do that Occidental in 2013 completed a state-of-the-art production facility near Bodega next to the Bodega Headlands Vineyard. Kistler, long admired for his Kistler label Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, has earned extraordinary reviews for his Occidental wines. Robert M. Parker Jr. rated one of the 2012 cuvees at 98 pts and called it "profound?.this wine reminded me of my earlier days in Burgundy tasting the Grand Cru Musigny."

2012 Occidental Occidental Station Vineyard Cuvee Catherine

96 points Vinous: "2012 is the second vintage for Steve Kistler's personal project. The 2012 Pinot Noir Occidental Station Cuvée Catherine represents 1,000 cases, aged in about 30% new oak. Beautiful strawberry, red cherry and blueberry notes jump from the glass of this dark ruby wine. Attractive aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied, luscious wine with elegance, minerality, and plenty of blue and red fruits, good acidity and a long, long finish. This beauty can be drunk over the next 5-10 years. Steve Kistler's new Pinot Noir project from his 65 acres in the very cool-climate of the Sonoma Coast area is starting off with enormous potential and promise. These wines are primarily made from the Calera clone of Pinot Noir. He is able to achieve terrific ripeness and relatively low brix numbers, so alcohol-phobes among readers will be pleased to know that the alcohols of these wines run in the low range, between 13.6 to 14.2, yet the wines are very powerful, rich, concentrated and intense. (AG)" (01/2015)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "2012 is the second vintage for Steve Kistler's personal project. The 2012 Pinot Noir Occidental Station Cuvée Catherine represents 1,000 cases, aged in about 30% new oak. Beautiful strawberry, red cherry and blueberry notes jump from the glass of this dark ruby wine. Attractive aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied, luscious wine with elegance, minerality, and plenty of blue and red fruits, good acidity and a long, long finish. This beauty can be drunk over the next 5-10 years. (RP)" (01/2015)