Hey Artisans,
February 4th was the first time I raised the flag on this incredible release—before any ratings. When Wine Advocate published their 98-point score last Thursday, June 15th, we instantly sold all of our remaining stock.
I've always written "This price is absurdly low for Cult-caliber" which I qualify below:
- 100% FREE-RUN JUICE (NO pressing of the grapes = most gentle extraction)
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Made the same way as their Single Vineyards which cost 3-4x more and are rated up to 100-points.
- Only available to the finest restaurants and just a handful of selected retailers
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Drinkable now and will cellar through 2035 (Wine Advocate)
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Spectator hasn't published yet, but scored the prior 2020 vintage 95 points
The great news: we secured a final allotment of 24 bottles coming this Wednesday, 6/28, but I don't need to tell you how fast we'll sell out again!
Occidental is the passion project of Steve Kistler and his family. While Steve remains CEO of Kistler Vineyards, his desire to focus solely on Pinot Noir was the impetus behind creating Occidental. It shows. All Occidental vineyards are grafted with proprietary massale selections developed over three decades by Steve. Produced entirely from estate-fruit from Occidental's coastal vineyards. The vineyards are Certified Sustainable.
You can't stop smelling this wine; at the modest 13.3% ABV, you can't put your glass down either. Please move fast to enjoy!
Cheers, and all my best,
—James T.
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2021Occidental-Freestone Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
98 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Freestone-Occidental is incredibly expressive and detailed! Its aromas open slowly from blueberry, rhubarb and cranberry to tones of bitter orange, amaro, mossy bark and lavender, continuing to reveal new accents with each return to the glass. Light-bodied, it floods the mouth with fragrant, detailed fruit supported by chalky tannins and focused, shimmery acidity that calls you in for another sip. It has a haunting finish loaded with spicy layers, and it's very difficult to put this delicious wine down. Drink it now for its transparency and perfume, or allow it to develop savory complexity in bottle over the next decade. Drink 2024 - 2035." -Erin Brooks (6/15/23)
About this Wine:
The Freestone-Occidental pinot noir includes a blend of fruit from our Bodega Headlands, Occidental Station, and Bodega Ridge vineyards. It also shares the same winemaking techniques as our vineyard-designated pinot noirs. All our pinot noirs are fermented with native yeasts and native Malo-Lactic bacteria.
This bottling expresses the same energy, precision, and purity of flavor that gives all of Occidental’s wines lift and perfume, along with the deeper soil tones that contribute to its complexity. Made entirely from free-run juice, it is delicious now and will develop nicely in bottle. Currently available in restaurants and selected retail stores.
The 2021 Freestone-Occidental wine shares the same winemaking techniques as our vineyard designated pinot noirs. Crystalline, bright, mouthwatering, and a bit salty with a saline mineral finish, the 2021 Freestone-Occidental evokes juicy red berries and a near perfect balance of finesse and energy – of bright, primary red fruits and saline elements. It conveys outstanding precision and lift in the mouth and finishes vibrant and long with beautifully sculpted tannins. Its modest alcohol (13.3%) makes this wine a perfect complement to any meal. It is delicious now and will develop nicely in bottle.
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- Only 24 bottles are coming on 6/28
Competitors: $75.00 btl
Online Average: $69.00 btl
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On the topic of Sonoma, it's time to acknowledge their Cult-Caliber-Yet-Underpriced Cabs.
Below we highlight three of the finest.
First up is KAMEN Estate from Moon Mountain. This wine has received 99-93 Points for 16 consecutive vintages. The winemaker is none other than the original Cult Garagiste Mark Herold, the enigmatic genius behind Merus, Buccella, and Hestan to name only a few:
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2019 Kamen Estate Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
Southern Mayacamas Mountains
This wine has received 99-93 Points for 16 consecutive vintages
Certified Organic Vineyards
Estate Grown 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Only 2,300 Cases Made
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94 Points - Vinous:
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Martini clone from the core of the estate. A heady, ample wine, the 2019 is endowed with striking opulence. Blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and mocha shows tremendous depth. Attractive floral notes emerge with a bit of aeration, adding brightness. The contours are remarkably soft for a young mountain Cabernet. These wines age beautifully, their youthful opulence notwithstanding, so I would not be in a rush here. Drink between 2025-2039." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2022)
93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Alluring, with steeped plum and cassis notes cruising through, backed by lively licorice snap, bramble and sweet tobacco accents. A long echo of singed alder permeates on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2034. 2,250 cases made." — JM (7/31/22)
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- Only 9 bottles are available.
Lowest NorCal: $130.00 btl
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Next up are two extremely limited wines from APERTURE CELLARS. Only 9 and 10 bottles remain for the 2020 vintage.
- Winemaker Jesse Katz has worked with Bob Foley at Hourglass and at Screaming Eagle, working alongside renowned winemaker Andy Erickson.
- Routinely scoring up to 98-points in Wine Advocate and others
- As winemaker for both Lancaster Estate and Roth Estate, Jesse brought to bear his handcrafted style of terroir driven winemaking in producing their most highly acclaimed wines
- Katz was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and then one of the 40 Under 40 Tastemakers by Wine Enthusiast. Wine Spectator named him a “Rising Star.”
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2020 Aperture Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley, Sonoma
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96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon was blended with 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 1% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot and matured for 18 months in 55% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple, it has alluring scents of Morello cherries and blueberries accented by wafts of laurel leaves, allspice and cocoa. Medium-bodied and firm yet velvety, it's ripe yet more restrained than previous vintages, offering classy oak spice and surprising drinkability. 2,033 cases produced." - Erin Brooks (3/23/23)
93 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 1% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in French oak, 55% of it new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers blackcurrant preserves, spicy plums, and fruitcake scents with hints of tar and underbrush. The full-bodied palate is firm, grainy, and lively, with beautiful fruit purity, quite lively and fresh with a long finish. "We were very selective in 2020," said winemaker Jess Katz. "Most of this comes from the hills of Del Rio - Alexander Valley, a little Farrow Ranch and some fruit from Chalk Hill Road." 2,033 cases were made." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Oct 2022)
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- Only 6 bottles are available
Elsewhere: $110.00 btl
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2020 Aperture Cellars Bordeaux Red Blend
Alexander Valley, Sonoma
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97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2020 Bordeaux Red Blend is composed of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Malbec, 28% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, matured in 45% new French oak for 18 months. Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, it is scented of blueberries and red and black cherries with nuances of graphite, spice and tea leaves, continuing to blossom aromatically as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is velvety and refreshing with alluringly floral fruit and a long, layered finish. Restrained and easy to drink, it's a great success in a challenging vintage. 2,189 cases were made." - Erin Brooks (3/23/23)
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- Only 5 bottles are available
Elsewhere: $90.00 btl
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