Reviews
- Wine Spectator -
Technical Details
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Steve Kistler
- United States
- California
- North Coast
- Sonoma County
- Sourced from three estate vineyards: Bodega Headlands Vineyard, Occidental Station Vineyard, Bodega Ridge Vineyard
- Certified Sustainable
- 25% new French oak barrels
- 11 months
- 13%
- 3,650 cases
Occidental Vineyards Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2023
Certified Sustainable
25% OFF RETAIL!
With its refined structure, layered fruit, and percolating coastal vibrancy, Occidental Vineyards’ 2023 Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir is a sincere treat, made even more mouthwatering at our price and with free shipping on just three bottles.
Occidental Vineyards was founded in 2011 by Steve Kistler, one of California’s most influential Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers, as the culmination of a long obsession with the cold, wind-scoured hills west of the town of Occidental. After decades of experimenting with coastal Pinot Noir and quietly planting vineyards along the Sonoma Coast beginning in the mid-1990s, Kistler committed fully to what he believed was California’s closest analogue to Burgundy: extreme maritime sites perched above the Pacific, defined by fog, low yields, and long growing seasons. Built for the 2013 harvest, the winery is singularly devoted to Pinot Noir from estate vineyards such as Bodega Headlands and Bodega Ridge, producing wines of tension, restraint, and age-worthy depth that pushed California Pinot to its western frontier.
The 2023 Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir is a thrilling expression of this cool, fog-blanketed vintage and a true standout value in great coastal Pinot Noir. With 95 points from Wine Spectator given for its precision and vibrant coastal energy, it seamlessly showcases 2023’s crystalline clarity alongside the Sonoma Coast’s hallmark bright acidity and saline notes. Crafted from estate vineyards on wind-swept hills overlooking the Pacific, this vintage exemplifies the winery’s sincere dedication to producing Pinot Noir with purity, balance, and a vivid sense of place.
The wine displays vibrant red cherry, raspberry, and plum layers, framed by mouthwatering acidity and a fine, mineral-driven texture. Subtle floral notes and a whisper of coastal tree spice add depth, while supple tannins and a luminous finish give the wine a sense of poise and longevity. For under $70 a bottle with free shipping on just three (compare at $100 retail), this is an incredible value for a Pinot of this caliber. Enjoy the rugged beauty and finesse of California’s westernmost vineyards for an enchanting price, and be sure to tuck at least one away in your cellar to see its breathtaking evolution!
PAIRING IDEAS: Hear me out – duck tacos. Pickled onions. Pomegranate seeds. Tingly and tart, with subtle sweetness and rich, salty meat – this is going to SLAM next to this vibrant coastal Pinot.