Occidental Pinot Noir Offer – 2021 Vintage

For what will probably be this year’s last offer featuring the outstanding 2021 vintage for Sonoma County Pinot Noir, we are going out with somewhat of a proverbial bang.

The single vineyard Occidental wines from Steve Kistlers West Sonoma Coast vineyard property are both highly allocated and highly sought after.

Produced on a small scale and with the utmost attention to detail, there is always a significant level of depth and complexity that allows for optimal ageability in the cellar. In fact, I have tasted some of the single vineyard bottlings going back to 2013, and the expression in the glass has been reminiscent of top Grand Cru Burgundy; quite possibly the most cellar-worthy Pinot Noirs produced on California’s West Sonoma Coast.

The Occidental wines are produced from vineyards on a southwest-facing ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean, just outside the town of Bodega. This ridge and the surrounding headlands mark the western edge of the Freestone-Occidental area and are among the coldest and latest ripening sites where pinot noir is grown in western Sonoma.

The wines are crystalline with vivid aromatics and intense red fruit flavors. They have a wonderfully chiseled quality, layered with savory and mineral character.

Occidentals’ current production consists of five single vineyard bottlings along with one appellation wine. Today’s Mayacama Wine Offer provides members with access to two of the single vineyard bottlings, both of which are representative of the superior 2021 vintage.

2021 Pinot Noir, Bodega Headlands Vineyard, Cuvée Elizabeth

“The 2021 Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvée Elizabeth is bright, aromatic, and effusive right out of the gate. Rose petals, lavender, red/purplish fruit and spice are beautifully articulated. Medium bodied and gracious, the 2021 is all precision – all class. Bright saline notets resonate on the vibrant, persistent finish. This site, planted in 2001 with suitcase clones on 101-14 rootstock and picked early for vibrancy, yields a tense, aromatic, red-toned Pinot endowed with tons of class.” – 96 Points, Antonio Galloni for Vinous Media.

2021 Pinot Noir, Bodega Ridge Vineyard

“The 2021 Pinot Noir Bodega Ridge Vineyard is a wine of pure and total sensuality. Dark red/purplish, orange peel, cinnamon, new leather, cedar, and sweet pipe tobacco give the 2021 striking aromatic presence to play off its mid-weight personality. The 2021 Bodega Ridge is all class, but it is the most reticent of the wines today. It manages to bring together all the elements that define these wines, namely serious fruit concentration, backed by vertical, explosive structure.” 98+ Points, Antonio Galloni for Vinous Media.

As usual, these wines are available in limited quantities and so I recommend acting quickly.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding Occidental and thank you for your continued support.

Cheers!

Carey Vanderborg, Wine Director

WINES BEING OFFERED:

2021 Pinot Noir, Bodega Headlands Vineyard, Cuvée Elizabeth ($125/btl)

2021 Pinot Noir, Bodega Ridge Vineyard ($125/btl)