Occidental Wines

Pinot Noir 'SWK Vineyard'

Pinot Noir 'SWK Vineyard'

Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard Occidental
  • Certified Sustainable
  • 100% Pinot Noir
  • SWK Vineyard block is the highest, steepest section of the Bodega Headlands Vineyard
  • Planted in 1999 by Steve Kistler
  • West/Southwest Orientation
  • Goldridge, sandy loam soils over marine sediment and fossils
  • Hand-harvested at night
  • Hand-sorted as clusters before completely destemming
  • Each vineyard block is fermented separately in 2-4 ton fermenters
  • Not cold-soaked prior to fermentation
  • Native yeast fermentation
  • Punch downs are used only as needed to distribute the heat of fermentation, ensuring a gentle extraction
  • After fermentation is complete, the tanks are drained and only the free-run wine is transferred by gravity to Francois Freres barrels (25% new) to age 11 months
  • Native malolactic fermentations
  • Bottled unfined and unfiltered with a minimum level of SO2 (~50 ppm)
  • 13.3% abv

Info

Vintage:
2021
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
West Sonoma Coast
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable

Sizes Available

Full Bottle US-OCC-42-21 12/750ml

Resources

Press & Reviews

Decanter
Score
97
Date
2024-04-22
"Tasted from bottle #S1933, the SWK, or Stephen William Kistler, is planted at 250m and offers floral richness. This is a medium-weight, classical Pinot Noir. Wildly elegant with pungent notes of singed florals, the fruit is noted by rounded edges of wild huckleberry and mint. The palate is beautifully bound together with red and blue berries, streaks of white pepper, and evergreen tips. The finish lingers long, with ample sea salt minerality and white pepper driving it forward."
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
99
Date
2024-06-28
"Coming from the coldest section of the property with its exposure to the coastal winds, the 2021 Pinot Noir SWK Vineyard pours a jeweled ruby red hue and is toasty and expressive on the nose, with notes of fresh black cherries, red berries, rosehip, and smoky incense. This medium-bodied Pinot Noir sports a great deal of energy and tension, with coiled, fine tannins, a chalky texture, racy acidity, and a seamless, linear finish. It promises a good deal of longevity and will be best left in cellar for another couple of years to give it time to unfurl. Drink 2025-2045."
Wine Spectator
Score
96
Date
2024-02-28
"This throws up a beguiling plume of white pepper, sandalwood and potpourri notes, which is then caught from behind by a vibrant, crunchy and acidity-fueled core of griotte, blood orange and damson plum fruit flavors. Singed anise and applewood score the finish as the energetic fruit easily keeps pace. Offers plenty of tension to carry this through cellaring as it unfurls fully. Best from 2025 through 2035. From California.—J.M."