Occidental Wines
Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine Pinot Noir
California, USA
Magnificent. A baby. Dark cherry, eucalyptus, so luscious and balanced. Vines are still young and producing outstanding berries. Just gorgeous. Years and years - try again in 2025.
Magnificent. A baby. Dark cherry, eucalyptus, so luscious and balanced. Vines are still young and producing outstanding berries. Just gorgeous. Years and years - try again in 2025.
Aug 8th, 2022
Consumed too early but so good. This will merit a higher score in a few years. Some of the best made Pinot in CA, IMO
Consumed too early but so good. This will merit a higher score in a few years. Some of the best made Pinot in CA, IMO
Apr 19th, 2022
Wine Advocates 💯 Points for 2018 , grabbed 2 bottles & 1 mag. Their Review, revisited the 2018 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine again and again and just could not get enough of this expressive, singular wine. Medium ruby in the glass, aromas of iron and blood orange segue to pure blackberry and raspberry preserves, tea leaves, dusty earth and garrigue. Silky, pure, detailed and seamless, it articulates that perfect balance of bitter and sweet found in great amaro—and great Pinot Noir. It has an intense, fresh and lacy frame of tannins that will allow it to age a long time. This 2018 vintage was bottled in 750-milliliter bottles and magnums, the first time Occidental has employed a larger format. The Running Fence vineyard encompasses 65 acres on the 250-acre Bodega Ridge property in Occidental, purchased by Steve Kistler in 2008 after a long search for his own property. Vines were planted in 2012, and experientially, at least, this 2018 illustrates the capability of young vines to produce exceptional wines. This wine has a personality and uniqueness that suggests the Bodega Ridge property is maturing into a site capable of grand cru expression. The Running Fence is the first vineyard-designate from these 65 acres, but Steve and his daughter Catherine (who will become the next winemaker) hope to discover more special pieces of this vineyard as they learn how it expresses differently from the Bodega Headlands site next to it. Steve notes that the soil and clones are similar; the low-yielding Riparia Gloire rootstock is the biggest difference between the two vineyards. In this marginal climate, it will promote earlier ripening, a critical factor in Occidental's philosophy of capturing grapes on the edge of ripeness. It has also turned out to be a prescient choice in the face of climate change and destructive wildfires.
Wine Advocates 💯 Points for 2018 , grabbed 2 bottles & 1 mag. Their Review, revisited the 2018 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine again and again and just could not get enough of this expressive, singular wine. Medium ruby in the glass, aromas of iron and blood orange segue to pure blackberry and raspberry preserves, tea leaves, dusty earth and garrigue. Silky, pure, detailed and seamless, it articulates that perfect balance of bitter and sweet found in great amaro—and great Pinot Noir. It has an intense, fresh and lacy frame of tannins that will allow it to age a long time. This 2018 vintage was bottled in 750-milliliter bottles and magnums, the first time Occidental has employed a larger format. The Running Fence vineyard encompasses 65 acres on the 250-acre Bodega Ridge property in Occidental, purchased by Steve Kistler in 2008 after a long search for his own property. Vines were planted in 2012, and experientially, at least, this 2018 illustrates the capability of young vines to produce exceptional wines. This wine has a personality and uniqueness that suggests the Bodega Ridge property is maturing into a site capable of grand cru expression. The Running Fence is the first vineyard-designate from these 65 acres, but Steve and his daughter Catherine (who will become the next winemaker) hope to discover more special pieces of this vineyard as they learn how it expresses differently from the Bodega Headlands site next to it. Steve notes that the soil and clones are similar; the low-yielding Riparia Gloire rootstock is the biggest difference between the two vineyards. In this marginal climate, it will promote earlier ripening, a critical factor in Occidental's philosophy of capturing grapes on the edge of ripeness. It has also turned out to be a prescient choice in the face of climate change and destructive wildfires.
Aug 12th, 2021
