Occidental (Stephen Kistler)

Cuvée Elizabeth Bodega Headlands Vineyard Pinot Noir

9.132 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
Darren Dittrich

Ready to drink, but a fair amount of tannins linger. This seems to be the major difference between Kistler Vineyards and Steve’s new venture: Occidental wines are built to age longer. Generally, this is great thing, unless you prefer to drink them young. Good news though: still plenty of coastal fruit.
Looking forward to future releases.

Ready to drink, but a fair amount of tannins linger. This seems to be the major difference between Kistler Vineyards and Steve’s new venture: Occidental wines are built to age longer. Generally, this is great thing, unless you prefer to drink them young. Good news though: still plenty of coastal fruit.
Looking forward to future releases.

Mar 7th, 2018
Jim Stehli

2011 is more structured and more thoughtful. Darker less fruit. Cranberry but with currant. Drinking nicely now but feels like this ‘11 has time to keep getting better.

2011 is more structured and more thoughtful. Darker less fruit. Cranberry but with currant. Drinking nicely now but feels like this ‘11 has time to keep getting better.

Dec 13th, 2017
Jon Dodd

Truly undrinkable. We had the 2012 this week. Drank about a third and used the remainder for a stew. Three more bottles in storage and not sure what to do with them.

Truly undrinkable. We had the 2012 this week. Drank about a third and used the remainder for a stew. Three more bottles in storage and not sure what to do with them.

Dec 11th, 2017
Joe Davant

The deep garnet color and the nose full of ripe, dark cherries made me expect a rich, full bodied wine, but the palate was lighter than expected, with tart cherries.

The deep garnet color and the nose full of ripe, dark cherries made me expect a rich, full bodied wine, but the palate was lighter than expected, with tart cherries.

Aug 7th, 2017
Ralph Clark

Going out with a Pinot Bang

Going out with a Pinot Bang

Dec 25th, 2015
Victor Hwang

Bright bing cherry, delicious, lip smacking!

Bright bing cherry, delicious, lip smacking!

Dec 17th, 2015
Lamar Hannah

The nose on this was incredible. Lively

The nose on this was incredible. Lively

Aug 19th, 2015
Jim Stehli

Dark color. Wonderful texture. Opens up very nicely. Raspberry jam and berries. Really enjoying this one.

Dark color. Wonderful texture. Opens up very nicely. Raspberry jam and berries. Really enjoying this one.

Jul 11th, 2015
Ralph Clark

Strawberry with orange zest. Has some mineral/dirt in the nose.

Strawberry with orange zest. Has some mineral/dirt in the nose.

Jan 12th, 2015
Daniel Steilen

Red fruit: strawberry and raspberry, light to medium body, great long finish that sits in your tongue. A nice wine

Red fruit: strawberry and raspberry, light to medium body, great long finish that sits in your tongue. A nice wine

Nov 13th, 2014