2016 Kistler "Laguna Ridge Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

“The 2016 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge (formerly Kistler Vineyard) is a racy, sensual wine. Lifted floral notes add shades of brightness to the red-toned fruit. Cedar, tobacco and iron develop later, bring further layers of nuance. I very much like the sense of energy here. This is typically the first fruit brought in at Kistler. (AG)” (01/2019)

“From sandy loam soils and all Calera clone, the 2016 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard is terrific but is going to reward short-term cellaring. Bing cherry, black raspberry, cassis, and smoked earth/charcoal notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, fresh, tight, backward 2016 that has beautiful concentration and depth. 95+” (06/2018)

“Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Laguna Ridge Vineyard opens a little shy and broody, giving way to decadent black raspberry, wild blueberries and mulberries scents with wafts of forest floor, fungi and black pepper. Medium to full-bodied and firmly framed by ripe, velvety tannins and tons of freshness, it has concentrated black and blue berry layers and a long, earthy finish. (LPB) 94+” (06/2018)

“Boasting plenty of concentrated, very deep black cherry fruit and a full-bodied Pinot that presently embraces sheer lusciousness over tidy elegance, this ample look at the variety is nonetheless a well-polished rendition with fine structural spine and is just beginning to show the first signs of varietal velvet in texture. It is a fairly weighty wine, to be sure, but it is never near heavy despite its considerable fruity muscle and mass, and, if arguably not quite as complex as Kistler's Cuvée Natalie, it is far from simple now and is a sure bet to show increased layering in the coming three or four years. *Two Stars*” (11/2019)

“Fleshy, with exuberant spicy and forest floor notes to the macerated dark cherry, plum tart and pomegranate flavors. Cola, smoke and clove details show on the layered finish. (KM)” (07/2019)