2013 Occidental SWK Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
The 2013 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard’s wild berry fruit is accented by tertiary tones of porcini mushroom, tobacco, black tea and forest floor on the nose. The palate surprises with its explosive red berry flavors, its foresty, earthy tones taking a backseat to its fruit more than a decade after the harvest. It’s structured by powerful, powdery tannins and lip-smacking acidity and has a long, earth-laced finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard is the most tannic and structured of these Pinots from Occidental. As such, it is going to need at least a few years in bottle to unwind. Beams of chalky tannin underpin a deeply expressive Pinot endowed with intensely mineral and savory overtones. Vivid and beautifully sculpted throughout, the 2013 is impressive, even in the early going.
The 2013 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard, is 100% destemmed, ripe but more restrained, spicy and well-made, with good upside, but needs another 1-2 years of bottle age. Mar 2016, www.robertparker.com
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.