2020 Occidental, Freestone-Occidental Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California, USA

The 2020 is an astonishing pure wine. It has a beautiful nose of tart raspberry and sour cherry with a sea-salt, earthy character that really adds definition. The palate is so crunchy, with restrained tight fruit and pert tannins at this stage but they are just so fine, they will clearly resolve in time. The wine is wonderfully fresh with stunning precision and focus, amazing considering this is the entry wine to the portfolio. The fruit is still mostly red on the palate, with a touch of black and a hint of spice. Overall though this is a pure, juicy and mineral wine with stunningly vibrant, saline lick to the finish. Simply delicious. Drink 2023 (decanted) to 2032.
Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer (April 2022)