Doug Craft

9.0

Agree with other raters. Lighter, more acidity and mineralty. Beautiful fruit — 4 years ago

Eric

9.5

Bang! This is a really delightful Pinot from the Freestone vineyard. Located just west of Santa Rosa and bordering Occidental. 2018. Seductive nose, crushed violets as far as the eye can see. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

Really enjoyed my visiting with Will at Mending Wall where he poured Rivers-Marie as well as his personal label William & Mary.

I’m scoring this the same as the Occidental it was next to, but for different reasons. This, for my tastes, is a hold for the next few years. Herbal and floral, with a refreshingly low ABV yet still powerful. Spice box, herbs de Provence, cedar, and kirsch like. Lots in reserve here. — 5 years ago

Dave Montagne

9.1

Revisiting the wine that introduced us to Cairanne a couple years ago. At Les Bistro des Copains, formally Magnum and named after the Bistro in Occidental, CA. — 7 years ago

Andrew Lam

9.4

Thanksgiving wine. Couldn't resist diving straight into the allocation I just received. Probably could have used more time but very good. Remains to be seen if it's as good as the previous effort... #sonomaproud #napastrong — 7 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.1

When in Occidental...be sure to check out the complimentary tasting. Bought this one for the evening. Apologies to Kurt Beitler for drinking this out of plastic hotel tumblers, but it still showed well. — 8 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.4

Just love this style. Occidental meets Jura in some respects. — 8 years ago

Darren Dittrich

9.5

Cola, mineral, light cherry overtones. Delicious. Ready to go after 5 years, could go a little longer. Label: Occidental SWK Vineyard 2012 14.1% ABV. # S01079 — 8 years ago

Blair Campomizzi

9.1

Dark and rich. Red berry and cherry pop with some dried herd nots in the back ground. — 4 years ago

with Marilea

Liz Bird

9.2

Nice tannin — 5 years ago

George Yasutake

9.8

Best Pinot Noir that I have tasted this year! Awesome grape juice. Went well with the signature toro plate at Morimoto’s in Napa. — 6 years ago

with Brian

Michael Seely

9.4

Ehren Jordan is a Master, brilliant winemaker this 07 displays this talent beautifully. Shows bright fruit both on the bouquet and on the palate. — 6 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

Carl Fischer

9.5

Also outstanding, this was much more layered than the Occidental Pinto we started with, and had much stronger acidity which made it perfect with some rich entrees. Cherries and plums with some earthy notes, medium bodied. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Fresh, ripe nose of; huckleberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, black plum, plum, mocha/milk chocolate, caramel, baking spices, sweet rich clay soils, very light presence of herbs and fresh red flowers with violets. The body is full, rich and nicely resolved with round M+ tannins. The fruits are big and ripe; huckleberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, black plum, plum with strawberries dancing in the background. Caramel, mocha/milk chocolate, chocolate pudding, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, hints of clove, sweet rich clay soils, darker spices, crumbled volcanic minerals, touch of dry herbs, suede/velvety leather, mouthwatering, fresh round acidity and a long, rich, elegant, smooth as silk, balanced finish that lasts over a minute. Photos of; the the tasting room/bar, the fresh vegetable honor stand in front of the winery, picnic area and the view onto the valley floor from their terrace. Producer notes and history...born near the Italian-Swiss border, Gaetano Regusci journeyed to the Napa Valley in 1891 working at a dairy along today's Silverado Trail. In 1932, Gaetano cashed in his entire life insurance policy and purchased a foreclosed property across the road, known today as Regusci Ranch. For the next 30 years, Gaetano lived off the land, farming; corn, hay, walnuts, plums and grapes. He ranched cattle, ran a dairy and opened a retail market. They survived prohibition and the great depression. Gaetano held onto the Ranch, passing along the historic Stags Leap District property to his son Angelo in the 1960s. Regusci long before making wine were excellent farmers...a nice resume for growing grapes. Through five generations, they were commited to agriculture. Gaetano Regusci purchased a 289-acre estate in the Stags Leap District; which included one of the preeminent wineries of its time, the Grigsby-Occidental Winery established in 1878. At that time, the wine industry was not what it is today. Aside, from growing and making homemade wine and selling grapes. When Gaetano's son Angelo took over the family Ranch in the 1960s, he began planting Bordeaux varieties on the estate. His decision would prove to be visionary within a few decades. As the wine industry flourished so did their vineyards. They planted a 160 acres of grapes that reside on the estate today. Angelo's (Angelo's Vineyard, is perhaps their best bottling) son Jim became a farmer as well, taking over Ranch duties in the 1990's. Having farmed for many of Napa Valley's most notable vineyards, Jim decided to establish Regusci in 1996. Their first crush amounted to 1,900 cases. Today, they produce 6,500 total cases spilt under several different wines designations. It's a fun place to visit and taste. Behind the tasting bar, they have a two foot piece of the cable that was used to make the Golden Gate Bridge. Ask them to see it. However, it's as heavy as a large dumbbell. When you make an appointment, see about reserving one of their picnic tables after the tasting. If you get a table purchase your lunch before you get to the winery as they do not sell prepared food. However, during the growing season, they have a honor system cart for the fruits and vegetables they still grow as shown in the photos. It's a must stop along the Silverado Trail...a beautiful setting with amazing vistas. — 8 years ago

Jerae Knutson

DuMOL Member Services

9.6

If you snagged a few bottles of this wine in your allocation you can feel comfortable opening a bottle soon - let the wine evolve in your glass. If you’re patient, you’ll be greatly rewarded by tucking a few bottles in your cellar for 5+ (and up to 11) years. 77% of the fruit comes from DuMOL’s O’Connell Estate Vineyard and 23% from Occidental Road Vineyard. Finn is always layered with a velvety finish, and always a Member favorite. — 4 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.2

medium straw color, pale watery rim; lemon, green apple, hints of white flowers; citrus, wet stone; medium body, good acidity, 14.1% ABV; the fruit comes mostly from Riddle Vineyard located on a ridge in Green Valley near the town of Occidental with small amounts from the vineyards represented in their single vineyard program; whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented, no less stirring, no new oak; very good value at $30 — 5 years ago

Ed Lehrman

9.1

A little heavier than I remember but fully mature and fun to drink with friends. — 6 years ago

Frank Chen

9.3

Awesome California big Pinot noir from Kistler ...named after older daughter Katherine , tried along side Lizzie ...bold darker fruit, power elegance , great intergration spices and some fig like notes awesome — 7 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.5

Garnet in the glass with cherries, orange rind, and licorice on the nose - the palate delivers gobs of red fruit and is quite viscous for a Pinot - this was really lovely. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

The Migration label first appeared in 2001 as the second label of Goldeneye, both under the Duckhorn masthead, first focusing on Pinot Noir and later adding Chardonnay. Like Paraduxx to Duckhorn, it is no longer a second label, but a winery unto itself. In 2008 Migration, and by extension, Duckhorn, produced its first Chardonnay. In 2009 they produced their first Chardonnay from the legendary Charles Heintz Vineyard. The Charles Heintz Vineyard is located just outside of the town of Occidental where Charlie’s family has farmed the land for over 100 years. Two ridges in, and only about 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard is situated in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA. Heintz has become one of the most famous Chardonnay sites in California, with notable producers including Ceritas, DuMol, Freeman, Flowers, L'Angevin, Kosta Browne, Littorai, Migration/Duckhorn, Moone-Tsai, Pierson Meyer, and Williams Selyem. With its classic Goldridge sandy loam soils, and located just above the fog line, the vineyard receives abundant sunshine and cool ocean breezes. Super mellow Chardonnay, with candied orchard fruit, honeysuckle, wet stone, and some secondary hazelnut, with just a flutter of mushroom in the background. — 8 years ago