Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021 (Kistler)

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant but best to open it half an hour before service. Located in the California wine region of Sonoma County, Kistler Vineyards is a small family-owned winery, founded by Steve Kistler, and famous for its production of Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. The company has been one of the first producers to introduce the use of small new oak casks and malolactic fermentation for Chardonnay in California, creating rich and fruity Chardonnays that have since become representative of a Californian style. The grapes come from a selection of low-yielding vineyards distributed between the AVAs of Carneros, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, and Sonoma Coast. The resulting wines are dense and concentrated with an elegant harmony of aromas and a marked freshness. This Pinot Noir is a wine of exceptional concentration. The nose reveals intense aromas of red and blue berries with light mineral notes. On the palate, it is balanced and silky with a medium body. It is a lively and fruity wine but with a marked vein of acidity thanks to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean that allows for a slow ripening of the grapes. The tannins are soft and the finish is long, elegant, and mineral. Like most Pinot Noirs, it pairs well with duck meat, but its concentration also makes it perfect for grilled pork.