2015 Freestone Occidental Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental has super intense notes of redcurrants, black raspberries, black cherries and violets with hints of dark chocolate, cinnamon stick and smoked meats plus a waft of underbrush. Wonderfully elegant in the mouth with vibrant black and red fruits, earth and savory layers, it has a firm frame of finely grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long with an exciting herbal lift. Around 2,000 cases were produced.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Rich and smoky on the nose with less of the pure power of their 2016, and a generally more bitter and herby style. Muscular and almost austere, except that the style of fruit is so luscious and ripe. Takes some getting used to – once you start exploring the depths, you realise how much there is going on here. (RH)
The 2015 Pinot Noir (Freestone Occidental) is superb. Rich, dense and inviting, this Occidental's appellation wine captures the essence of the vintage in its radiant, enveloping personality. Dark red cherry, plum, lavender, licorice and spice notes abound in this exuberant, alluring Pinot. The 2015 shuts down very quickly with air, so I would not open it in advance. Ideally, though, readers should be prepared to hang onto these wines for at least a few years. The Occidental appellation wine now carries the Freestone Occidental designation. It is the same wine I previously reviewed as the estate's Sonoma Coast Pinot. Most importantly, though, it is fabulous.
The 2015 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) from Steve Kistler's Occidental winery is a real stunner. Deep, unctuous and super-concentrated, the 2015 possesses marvelous depth and intensity in its flavors. This pliant, beautifully layered Pinot will be nearly impossible to resist, even young.
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.