Kistler

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

9.121 ratings
9.02 pro ratings
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I’ve been picking up nicely aged Kistler’s off the secondary markets for between $50-$60. I have to say I’m pleased but, don’t understand why they go so under valued. I am not going to tell you Kistler makes the best Pinot Noirs. However, they make very good ones. Especially, when they hit 10 years in bottle properly stored. Maybe, it’s just the economy?

The body is heavenly round, full and lush with nice viscosity. The fruits are in fantastic shape. In fact, I would say peaking. Full range of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums, raspberries, cherries, pomegranate and blueberry highlights. The baking spices nicely soften; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and vanilla hues. Beautiful mixed fruit cola. Understated, round dry, crushed rock, delicate limestone minerals, shades of; tobacco, savory meats & mint, light dark spice with faint heat, hints sweetened mushrooms, dark, rich earth with bright florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue framed in violets. The acidity is spot on. The beautiful, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish exits with nice, soft persistence. Wire to wire a beautiful wine.

I thought I might get some smoke presence from the 2008 fires in Sonoma...it either was light & faded or never existed.

Still has another 4-5 years of solid drinking ahead.

Photos of; Kistler, their barnyard tasting room, Founder-Mark Bixler who passed away in late 2017 (RIP) and their barn that houses one of their tasting rooms.

I’ve been picking up nicely aged Kistler’s off the secondary markets for between $50-$60. I have to say I’m pleased but, don’t understand why they go so under valued. I am not going to tell you Kistler makes the best Pinot Noirs. However, they make very good ones. Especially, when they hit 10 years in bottle properly stored. Maybe, it’s just the economy?

The body is heavenly round, full and lush with nice viscosity. The fruits are in fantastic shape. In fact, I would say peaking. Full range of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums, raspberries, cherries, pomegranate and blueberry highlights. The baking spices nicely soften; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and vanilla hues. Beautiful mixed fruit cola. Understated, round dry, crushed rock, delicate limestone minerals, shades of; tobacco, savory meats & mint, light dark spice with faint heat, hints sweetened mushrooms, dark, rich earth with bright florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue framed in violets. The acidity is spot on. The beautiful, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish exits with nice, soft persistence. Wire to wire a beautiful wine.

I thought I might get some smoke presence from the 2008 fires in Sonoma...it either was light & faded or never existed.

Still has another 4-5 years of solid drinking ahead.

Photos of; Kistler, their barnyard tasting room, Founder-Mark Bixler who passed away in late 2017 (RIP) and their barn that houses one of their tasting rooms.

Oct 10th, 2020
Flavio Menezes

Very modern and a bit over mature, but very well made. Just not much my style.

Very modern and a bit over mature, but very well made. Just not much my style.

Jan 8th, 2016
Adam Craun

Owner/Vintner Memento Mori Wines

2008

2008

Jul 14th, 2013
Drew Shields

Drew had this 9 years ago

Drew had this 9 years ago

Aug 9th, 2015
pao
9.2

pao had this 4 years ago

pao had this 4 years ago

Jan 23rd, 2021
pao
9.0

pao had this 6 years ago

pao had this 6 years ago

Sep 15th, 2018
Flavio Menezes

Flavio had this 8 years ago

Flavio had this 8 years ago

Apr 7th, 2017
Charles

Charles had this 8 years ago

Charles had this 8 years ago

Oct 4th, 2016
Layne Albert

Layne had this 8 years ago

Layne had this 8 years ago

Jul 14th, 2016
Zachery Anderson

Zachery had this 9 years ago

Zachery had this 9 years ago

Apr 11th, 2016