2020 Occidental-Kistler Vineyards 'Bodega Ridge Vineyard' Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

(97 Points)  (Wine Advocate)

The 2020 Pinot Noir Bodega Ridge Vineyard is the second iteration of this single-vineyard cuvée from Occidental. It comes from the Bodega Ridge property, where Steve Kistler began developing 65 acres of Pinot Noir in 2012. The first single-vineyard cuvée from this property was the 2016 Running Fence Vineyard. The Bodega Ridge comes from 25 acres at the top of the property, planted mainly on southwest-facing slopes behind the tasting room, overlooking the Running Fence Vineyard (it also borders Joseph Phelps's Quarter Moon Vineyard). It's bursting with vivid aromatics—blueberry and lavender—and are supplemented by wafts of forest floor, blood orange, licorice and stony streaks. The palate is delicate and ethereal, framed by chalky tannins and shimmery acidity, although it still offers a generous core of nuanced fruit, and it finishes with a fan of spicy accents. (EB)  Review Date: 06/2023