Occidental Wines

Pinot Noir 'Running Fence Vyd - Cuvee Catherine'

Pinot Noir 'Running Fence Vyd - Cuvee Catherine'

Pinot Noir Running Fence Vyd Cuvee Catherine Occidental

• 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:
2021
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
West Sonoma Coast
Variety:
Pinot Noir
Color:
Red

Sizes Available

Full Bottle US-OCC-40-21 12/750ml

Resources

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Press & Reviews

Decanter
Score
98
Date
2024-04-22
"Named for Stephen Kistler's daughter Catherine, who is the assistant winemaker. This wine was tasted from bottle #C1111. It a soulful hedonism in the bottle. The aromas show a real pungency of forest scents and feral wildness of turned earth; smoked sea salt and soy mark the aromas that are then followed by a smoldering flint minerality. There is a depth to the palate; a smoky richness melds into sappy blackberries and tangy notes of soy and hoisin. This wine dances between the elegance of its florality and earthen mineral core that is framed by a herbal tone of wild anise and chicory root. It's truly glorious."
Vinous
Score
97
Date
2024-01-16
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine is gorgeous. Dense and layered, with tremendous vibrancy, the 2021 captures the magic of the West Sonoma Coast in its marriage of fruit intensity and energy. Dark blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, menthol, licorice and crushed rocks all race across the palate. This really explodes on the back end. All the elements are so well balance, and there's real depth and density here. The mix of suitcase clones on Riparia Gloire rootstock expresses notable darkness and richness, all with the freshness and lower alcohols that are typical of the West Sonoma Coast."
Wine Spectator
Score
97
Date
2024-02-28
"With a pure, shimmering display of mulberry, damson plum and cherry puree flavors, this stunning red lets the fruit play out with aplomb. Black tea, dried bergamot, rose petal and singed anise notes all add a glistening edge to the lengthy, well-cut finish, where a late minerality emerges. Best from 2025 through 2037. From California.—J.M."

REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES