2012 Kistler, Silver Belt Vineyard Cuvee Natalie, Sonoma Coast 1x750ml

Robert Parker 90

Another Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, the 2012 Cuvee Natalie Silver Belt exhibits more beet root, red sweet and sour cherries and berry fruit, earth, spice and incense. Very Cote de Beaune-like, round and lush once it hits the palate, it should be drunk over the next 4-5 years. As usual, these wines from Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler are top-flight efforts and have been so for nearly three decades. [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 01/01/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2015-2020

Vinous 96

A wine of real intrigue and finesse, the 2012 Pinot Noir Silver Belt Cuvee Natalie boasts marvelous detail and nuance. Sweet red cherry, plum and spice open up gradually, but the 2012 is not showing a lot of near-term accessibility at this stage. Instead, it is the wine’s energy and tension that are front and center. A brilliant, crystalline finish rounds things out very nicely. Readers should give the 2012 at least a few years in bottle to fully come together. [Antonio Galloni, 01/01/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2022