Occidental Pinot Noir Cuvée Elizabeth 2022

100 Points | D
“I’ve tasted very few wines that feel as complete as the 2022 Occidental Cuvée Elizabeth. Like the 2021 vintage, it’s the most floral and ethereal in the lineup, but this new release reaches new heights. It comes from the estate Bodega Headlands vineyard, where the vines already tend to give tiny berries and low yields. With 2022 being such a warm vintage, the crop was even smaller than usual, making the flavours and aromas way more vivid. With a highly expressive nose, you get a beautiful bouquet of violets and wet lavender mixed with the scent of cool, damp soil. A dusting of baking spice and a clean, salty breeze root this wine unmistakably in the West Sonoma Coast. On the palate, cranberries, pomegranate juice, and wild berries blend into a juicy and lively core. Satin-fine tannins bring just enough structure without getting in the way of the wine’s elegant frame. Bright acidity lifts everything into a long, satisfying finish. It’s a wow-moment wine. Truly beautiful.” - Decanter