2016 Occidental Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine Pinot Noir

Occidental is a Pinot Noir brand established by the celebrated winemaker Steve Kistler, founder and winemaker at Kistler Vineyards. Occidental plans to make a maximum of 7,500 cases annually of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. To do that Occidental in 2013 completed a state-of-the-art production facility near Bodega next to the Bodega Headlands Vineyard. Kistler, long admired for his Kistler label Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, has earned extraordinary reviews for his Occidental wines. Robert M. Parker Jr. rated one of the 2012 cuvees at 98 pts and called it “profound….this wine reminded me of my earlier days in Burgundy tasting the Grand Cru Musigny.” The wines are available primarily by mailing list.

Sonoma Coast AVA runs from San Pablo Bay in the south to Mendocino County in the north. It includes 7,000 vineyard acres and earned AVA status in 1987. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means it gets double the rainfall of nearby inland appellations and the ocean gives the appellation a relatively cool climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can thrive in these conditions, and there are numerous producers making critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.