2022 Occidental Station Vineyard
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Tasting notes
A deep ruby/magenta color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Occidental Station Vineyard is layered and deep on the nose with notes of dark wet stones and a dark mineral persistence. From the one vineyard planted in 1998 and made from the first fruit, Kistler began bottling this cuvée in 2003. It’s medium to full-bodied and has a touch more opulence, with a deep richness on the palate and fantastic length. It’s savory and deep, but there’s nothing blousy about it. Drink 2025-2040. The estate of Steve Kistler and his family in the Bodega Headlands, Occidental is exclusively devoted to producing coastally influenced Pinot Noir, and they are members of the West Sonoma Coast Vintners Association. Kistler was initially drawn to the area after tasting a bottling of Summa Vineyard that expressed a vivid and more cool climate style. Although Occidental was officially founded in 2011, Steve has been planting vineyards and purchasing property in the area since the 1990s and has retained his original cellar team for the past 30 years. His daughter, Catherine Kistler, has been the assistant winemaker since 2017. Each of the wines tasted for this report are their vineyard-designated selections, which are held back an additional year prior to release.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
More complex than most of its stablemates, with serious tannins. Not yet ready but promising. (JR)
The 2022 Pinot Noir Occidental Station Vineyard bursts from the glass with intense aromas of cranberry sauce, black raspberry, blood orange, iodine and mushrooms, becoming increasingly nuanced as it airs in the glass. The palate features powerful layers of crunchy fruit matched by vibrant acidity. It’s structured by finely astringent tannins reminiscent of black tea and has a very long, layered finish. It will be long lived in the cellar.
The 2022 Pinot Noir Occidental Station is the most overt of the Pinots in this lineup. Plush, deep layers shape the wine’s frame. Wild cherry, cedar and pipe tobacco all meld together in a supple, creamy Pinot that is already absolutely delicious and ready to go. Time in the glass softens the contours nicely as the 2022 starts to blossom with air. Hints of blood orange, mint and cinnamon linger.
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.