Kistler Kistler Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Full-bodied red wine · Kistler Vineyards
Vintage: 2014
Type
Full-bodied red wine
Producer
Kistler Vineyards
Country
United States
Vintage
2014
Region & Appellation
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Grape Varieties
100% Pinot Noir
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby with a translucent core and bright garnet rim, showing moderate viscosity and long, slow legs.
Aroma Profile
Ripe black cherry, wild raspberry, cola, subtle baking spices, forest floor, and a hint of smoky oak.
Tasting Notes
Plush entry with layers of dark red fruits, seamless mid-palate structure, finishing with lingering notes of earth and spice.
Flavor Profile
Black raspberry, dark cherry, dried herbs, vanilla, and subtle earthy undertones with rich concentration.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a velvety, luxurious mouthfeel and refined, polished tannins.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-high, refreshing acidity balancing a rich texture, supported by fine-grained, ripe, silky tannins.
Sweetness Level
Dry
Alcohol Content
14.1%
Aging & Oak
Aged for roughly 11 to 14 months in French oak barrels, approximately 50% to new oak.
Food Pairings
Roasted duck breast, pan-seared salmon, mushroom risotto, or roasted pork tenderloin with cherry reduction.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65F in a wide-bowled Burgundy glass. Lightly decanted for 30 minutes.
Price Range
$120 - $180 USD
Quality Assessment
93-95 points. Cult-status premium Pinot Noir with exceptional balance and complexity.
Production Methods
Hand-harvested, destemmed, native yeast fermentation, aged in French oak with minimal intervention.
Terroir
Well-draining alluvial and Goldridge sandy loam soils in the Russian River Valley, influenced by cooling Pacific fog.
History & Heritage
Founded in 1978 by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler, establishing a reputation as a benchmark producer of world-class Burgundian-style wines in California.
Interesting Facts
Kistler famously operated as a mailing-list-only winery for decades and is revered for their Burgundian-inspired Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Cellaring Potential
Drink now through 2026.
Similar Wines
Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Marcassin Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir