2017 & 2021 Kistler "Laguna Ridge Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

“The 2017 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge is sweet, floral and lifted, all qualities that work beautifully to temper the natural intensity of the year. Succulent red berry, mint, spice, licorice and pomegranate give the Laguna Ridge striking freshness and nuance. Next to the bigger Cuvée Natalie, the Laguna Ridge is brighter, more aromatic and also more restrained, although, it, too, is certainty not lacking in intensity. Laguna Ridge is the only site in this range from which Kistler makes both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. (AG)” (05/2019)

“Wow! That was my first reaction to this long, layered very, very cherry-toned, succulent Pinot noir. It was picked at quite low sugar levels and is only 13.9% alcohol. The ridge-top vineyard with vines planted on sandstone has been one of Kistler’s sources of pinot since 2006. (EM)” (09/2019)

“Deep ruby colored, the 2017 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard is another complex 2017 and has loads of cassis, blood orange, red plum, and spice aromas and flavors. It too is medium-bodied, racy, vibrant and elegant, yet has beautiful depth of fruit.” (06/2019)

“Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard offers dried cranberry, dried red and black cherries, cinnamon stick, tobacco leaf and charcuterie with notions of violets, orange peel, tree bark and earthy touches. Medium-bodied and silky, it's youthfully coiled, hinting at latent flavor layers, sturdily framed by lightly chalky tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long and savory. This needs more time in bottle to unwind. (EB) 93+” (12/2019)

“The 2021 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge is bright and beautifully focused from start to finish. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice, rose petal and white pepper are all finely delineated. The 2021 impresses with its tension and overall energy. A move to picking this fruit earlier has resulted in a Pinot endowed with notable tension. I love the focus here. The 2021 is a stunner. (AG)” (08/2023)

“Plenty of strawberry and orange peel character with hints of spice and mineral character. Full yet tight and focused with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. You don’t see it but it pulls at the end. Excellent pinot. Drinkable but give it three or four years.” (04/2023)

“A nearly opaque, dark red with a purple tinge, the 2021 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard has a more floral profile of fresh lavender, black cherry, wild black raspberry, and dark earth. Full-bodied and juicy, it has ripe tannins, a good bit structure, and more savory tones on the palate that will need a bit more time, but this is a fantastic and structured wine with meaty fruit of black cherry, smoky earth, and wild herbs. (AF)” (07/2023)

“The 2021 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard has broody scents of rhubarb, blueberry, lilac and lavender, plus alluring botanical undertones. The medium-bodied palate balances an intense core of layered, briary fruit with loads of grainy tannins, and vibrant acidity gives a shimmery feel to the long, flavorful finish. (EB)” (08/2023)

“Ripe, vivid and succulent, with tightly focused blackberry, black cherry and boysenberry puree flavors at the core, which is laced with enticing notes of black tea, singed anise and red licorice. Long and focused, with a gorgeous mouthfeel as creamy fruit and the velvety structure meld beautifully through the lengthy finish. (JM)” (09/2024)

“Bing cherries, lavender, muddled raspberries, and spearmint, winemaker Jason Kesner made an eminently drinkable and highly complex Pinot Noir in its youth, but one that will only get better with time. (JG)” (06/2024)