| Score: |
97 WA.
"Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Cuvee Elizabeth has a compelling black pepper, garrigue and bay leaves laced nose over a core of Bing cherries, fresh raspberries and crushed cranberries, plus a waft of fertile earth. The medium-bodied palate fills the mouth with a wonderful intensity of pure red berry and earth-inspired flavors, with tons of spices and a great frame of grainy tannins, finishing very long and with moreish vibrancy. Of course, the Kistler story doesn’t end with Kistler Vineyards. Steve Kistler’s pioneering spirit and pursuit of world class Pinot Noir took him to Occidental/Freestone and beyond, with vineyards extending right out to the Bodega Headlands, practically within spitting distance of the Pacific Ocean. The vineyards for his Occidental Wines label were planted in the early 2000s, when few were even considering this now sought-after “extreme” coastal area. When I asked Steve about the clones he planted, he replied with a secretive grin, “It’s mostly Calera and some suitcase stuff that is very proprietary.” Contributing to the beguiling character of the Cuvee Catherine Pinot Noir, whatever that “suitcase stuff” is, it certainly seems to be delivering the goods. With the vines really starting to come of age at the time of the magical 2014 vintage in Sonoma, Occidental hits pay dirt with an incredibly strong foursome of new releases." Wine Advocate #229, Feb 2017 |