Three Iconic Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast, including Occidental by Steve Kistler and Hirsch Vineyards. We start with the brilliant, current Pinot Noir release by the renowned Kanzler Family Vineyards.
KANZLER FAMILY VINEYARDS
2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
With an established track record of highly rated and award winning Pinot Noirs by prominent wineries, and under their own label, the 2018 Kanzler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir should be in every Pinot lovers cellar.
In addition to their Estate Vineyard, the Kanzlers sourced fruit from other iconic Russian River Valley vineyards, including Walker Station, Mes Filles, and Wind Horse. See the breakdown in the Winery Notes below.
The Kanzler Family planted their iconic Pinot Noir vineyard in 1996 in the Sebastopol hills in western Sonoma County, where the well-drained Goldridge soils and fog from the Pacific provide ideal conditions for growing world-class Pinot Noir.
The Kanzler name burst on every Pinot lovers radar when the Wine Spectator rated the Kosta Browne 2005 Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir 96 Points.
Primarily growers until 2014, they sold their prized fruit to some of the top wineries such as Landmark Vineyards, Flowers Vineyards and Gary Ferrell Winery.
Kanzler set out to make the best Pinot possible from their Estate. To meet their goal, they exercise everything from meticulous farming to double-hand sorting. They also utilize partial whole-cluster fermentation for added depth. Their winemaking is gentle, precise, and skilled, and the results are simply stunning.
The gorgeous 2018 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir balances penetrating and remarkably detailed fruit with silky tannins and fresh acidity.
KANZLER FAMILY VINEYARDS
2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Members’ price: $59.99
Winery Notes: “The 2018 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir wine is opulent and rich while still displaying great freshness. The classic silky Pinot texture is more chocolate mousse than heavy whipping cream, and the tannins show enough grip to hold and frame the wine without being bitter or obtrusive. The high percentage of once-used barrels imparts a subtle oak characteristic that enhances and compliments the fruit and spice character. After opening for several hours, exotic sweet-spice notes reminiscent of liquors in the Vin Santo or Fernet range begin to appear, further enhancing the intrigue and complexity of this Pinot Noir.”
VINEYARDS: 65% Kanzler Estate, 23% Walker Station, 10% Mes Filles, 2% Wind Horse
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People that enjoy the Kanzler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, may also enjoy these two iconic Pinots…
OCCIDENAL
by STEVE KISTLER
2018 “FREESTONE” PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Members’ price: $69.99
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2018 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental comes mostly from younger vines at the Occidental property but is made with the same attention to detail as the other wines in the portfolio, using free-run juice. Its nose is an aromatic well, offering crushed blueberries, charcuterie, Earl Grey tea leaves, graphite, saline, bitter orange peel and potpourri aromas. In the mouth, it explodes with lush fruits that give way after their initial rush to bitter, citrusy, minerally accents. It has a fine grain, seamless freshness and long, layered finish. It’s enjoyable now but will age well over the next five to eight-plus years.” 95+ Points -ErinBrooks
HIRSCH VINEYARDS
2017 PINOT NOIR
SAN ANDREAS FAULT
SONOMA COAST
Members’ price: $49.99
From James Suckling: “A homage to the great fault line near Hirsch, this pinot has a brambly, rich array of red cherries and some blue-fruit notes with fresh, sappy, forest aromas, too. The palate has plenty of punchy tannin and forthright, fresh, unwavering drive.” 93 Points
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “… Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault has a delicately played nose with touches of cinnamon stick, dried leaves, perfumed earth and a mineral vein plus rose petal perfume, red berries and black fruit sparks. The palate is light to medium-bodied with delicate intensity and well-balanced fruit and earth character, knit by grainy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long and nuanced.“
92 Points – Erin Brooks
