COLOUR
Red
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2014
GRAPE
Pinot Noir
PRODUCER
Kistler Vineyards
REGION
California
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
Tannins
Medium
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Established in 1978 by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler, Kistler Vineyards is an iconic producer that helped define the landscape of premium, single-vineyard Californian wines. Operating on a 'farmers first' ethos, the estate believes that meticulous vineyard management is the key to exceptional wine, making cellar intervention secondary. Historically known for a richer, highly extracted style, Kistler has transitioned in recent years toward earlier harvest dates and a more restrained, elegant expression. This Russian River Valley bottling represents a sophisticated harmony of California's sun-drenched terroir and Old World-inspired restraint.
ALCOHOL
14.1%
AVG. PRICE
€130
STYLE
Classic
VEGAN
YES
SULPHITES
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
12-15°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Kistler uses proprietary heritage clones imported from a famous Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, rather than common Dijon clones.
Fact 02
Only free-run juice is used for this bottling, completely avoiding hard-press fractions to preserve a delicate structure.
Fact 03
Under winemaker Jason Kesner, Kistler shifted towards earlier harvests and lower oak percentages for a more elegant style.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The grapes are harvested strictly by hand during the cool night hours to preserve natural acidity and delicate aromatics. In the cellar, the fruit is hand-sorted and mostly destemmed, keeping the berries whole. Fermentation is carried out using only native yeasts in small, open-top fermenters. To maintain a refined and elegant structure, only the free-run juice is utilized for this bottling, completely excluding any hard-press fractions. The wine is aged for 14 to 18 months in French oak barrels, with a carefully selected proportion of new oak (typically 30% to 50%). Finally, it is bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve its natural texture and complexity.
