2023 Kistler - Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Kistler Vineyards was founded in 1978 by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler with an ambition to craft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay capable of standing alongside the finest wines of Burgundy. Based in Sonoma County, the estate built its reputation on meticulous site selection and a hands-off approach in the cellar, letting each vineyard's character speak for itself. Over four decades, Kistler has become known among collectors as one of California's most consistent producers of cool-climate Pinot Noir.

This bottling draws on Kistler's heritage clones, sourced from multiple small vineyard blocks along Laguna Ridge and further west into the Sonoma Coast AVA, where marine air keeps the fruit cool through the growing season. The grapes were hand harvested at night, fully destemmed, and fermented in open-top vessels, with only free-run juice collected from the tanks. The wine then aged ten months in barrel before a single racking to tank, and it was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The nose shows crushed flowers, dried herbs, red cherry, and a lift of blood orange, with a thread of white pepper running through. On the palate, savory intensity meets a firm, sinewy structure rather than pure fruit sweetness, giving the wine real presence at the table. It pairs beautifully with roasted duck, mushroom risotto, or grilled lamb.