2016 Running Fence Vineyard Cuvee Catherine
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Tasting notes
This is the first wine from the Running Fence vineyard. The 2016 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine has a pale to medium ruby-purple color and a nose of cranberry, black cherries, rhubarb and pomegranate liqueur with hints of bergamot leaves, woodsmoke, dusty earth, stone and flowers. Light to medium-bodied, it has a great core of earth and floral-tinged fruit with a backbone of grainy tannins and lip-smacking acidity, finishing long and juicy with a saline touch.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Coming from the oldest block just outside the estate (although these are all relatively young vines), the 2016 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvee Catherine is the first vintage for this cuvée and it's a barrel selection made in the winery. Awesome notes of black and blue fruits, crushed flowers, violets, and hints of charcoal give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, thrillingly textured Pinot Noir that does everything right. As with all these 2017s, it’s vibrant and elegant, yet has terrific concentration, good mid-palate depth, and a great finish. Give it a year or two.
A new wine in this range, the 2016 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine is sourced from Steve Kistler's Bodega Ridge estate, where the Occidental winery is located. Blood orange, red raspberry, mint, dried flowers and star anise are all laced together in this very pretty, expressive Pinot Noir. The 2016 is translucent and wonderfully energetic at the outset, but then gains volume with time in the glass. It is another gorgeous and highly nuanced wine in the range.
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.