Occidental Wines

Pinot Noir 'Running Fence Vyd - Cuvee Catherine'

Pinot Noir 'Running Fence Vyd - Cuvee Catherine'

Pinot Noir Running Fence Vyd Cuvee Catherine

• Certified Sustainable
• 100% Pinot Noir
• From Occidental’s newest vineyard on the same ridgetop as neighboring Bodega Headlands Vineyards
• Planted in 2012 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

Producer:
Occidental Wines
Vintage:
2023
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
West Sonoma Coast
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable

Sizes Available

Full Bottle US-OCC-40-23 12/750ml

Resources

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Press & Reviews

Vinous
Score
96
Date
2026-01-13
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine is sourced from the first 14-acre parcel that the Kistlers planted here in 2012. Brisk and finely cut, the 2023 is a wine of tension and energy. The personality of the cold year and the Bodega Highlands vineyard's slightly higher yields come through in the wine's ethereal, lifted profile. Dark-toned fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and pomegranate build nicely. Clean savory and mineral accents punctuate the svelte finish."
Wine Advocate
Score
96+
Date
2026-01-09
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine unfurls its detailed aromas slowly, segueing dramatically from cranberry and pomegranate to mixed tea leaves, orange peel, Angostura bitters, woodsmoke and saline. The medium-bodied palate is more open at this stage, offering concentrated, complex flavors. It has a luxurious, suede-like texture, tense and structuring acidity and a very long, nuanced finish. It gets better and better with air and should be long lived in the cellar."

REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES

2022
Decanter
Score
99
Date
2025-08-04
"The Cuvée Catherine is consistently the most savoury and earth-driven of the Occidental wines. Sourced from the northern section of the estate vineyard, where the first blocks were planted in 2012, this site delivers a terroir like no other. The 2022 vintage is incredibly complex, with layers of aroma that go from forest floor to savoury herbs like bouquet garni, seaweed, porcini powder, and a gentle lift of dried lavender. On the palate, crunchy red fruit, blueberries, and pluots mix with a splash of salty blood orange, all wrapped in fine, well-integrated tannins. It™s a wine with presence, depth, and a strong sense of self. Stunning. Tasted from bottle C1428."
2022
Vinous
Score
97
Date
2025-01-30
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine is an archetype of what is possible on the West Sonoma Coast. Bright and explosive, yet also light on its feet, the 2022 soars out of the glass. Red/purplish fruit, blood orange, rose petal, spice and savory notes are all beautifully lifted. Clean mineral tones extend the finish. The Cuvée Catherine is a wine of subtlety and nuance above all else."
2022
Wine Advocate
Score
95+
Date
2025-01-16
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine offers a strong sense of place with aromas reminiscent of both the forest and the ocean: mushrooms, nori, saline and autumn leaves complement a core of pomegranate and wild berry, and it becomes more floral as it opens in the glass. The palate derives power from highly concentrated, nuanced flavors, a sense of delicacy from taut, lacy tannins and energy from vibrant acidity. It opened dramatically over several days and will benefit from long-term cellaring."
2022
Wine Spectator
Score
95
Date
2025-05-14
"This juicy red is packed with dark plum, black cherry and mulberry notes, all backed by licorice snap, hibiscus and potpourri nuances on the finish. Shows the underlying energy for the cellar, even though its forward fruit profile makes this accessible already. Drink now through 2036. From California. "J.M."