{"product_id":"2024-kistler-russian-river-valley-pinot-noir-750ml","title":"2024 Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 750ml","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn elegant and understated expression of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, the 2024 Kistler combines delicate red berry fruit, savoury spice and floral complexity with refined structure and freshness. Awarded 91 points by Vinous, this wine showcases Kistler's commitment to precision and vineyard character, offering a graceful balance of fruit concentration, vibrant acidity and subtle complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVintage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 vintage in Sonoma County was marked by a classic growing season, with early spring budbreak, a warm summer and well-timed periods of heat encouraging steady ripening. A smooth harvest and favourable fermentation conditions produced wines of concentrated flavour, lively acidity and well-defined structure, delivering richness without excessive weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVineyard\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKistler sources its Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from selected vineyard blocks along Laguna Ridge and Gravenstein Ridge in Sonoma County. Key vineyard sources include Laguna Ridge, Silver Belt and Gravenstein, where pockets of red, gravelly Sebastopol soils and Goldridge soils contribute to the wine's distinctive character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards are planted with Kistler's proprietary heritage Pinot Noir selections. These carefully cultivated sites produce fruit of concentration and aromatic complexity, reflecting the cooling influence and distinctive terroir of the Russian River Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWinemaking\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are hand-harvested at night and fully destemmed before undergoing indigenous yeast fermentation as whole berries in open-top fermenters. Only free-run juice is retained, with no pressing, ensuring a delicate extraction and refined tannin structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine is matured for 10 months in French oak barrels, of which 38% are new. It is then bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve its natural texture, complexity and vineyard expression. Natural sediment may develop during bottle ageing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCritic Reviews\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91\/100 — Antonio Galloni, Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n“Crushed red berry fruit, spice, new leather, cedar, mint and dried flowers are all laced together.”\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eReviewed January 2026\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eProducer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFounded in 1978 by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler, Kistler Vineyards is one of California's most respected producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Based in Sonoma County, the winery has developed a cult following since the 1980s through its dedication to Burgundian grape varieties and vineyard-focused winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKistler works with distinguished vineyard sites across Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Mountain and Carneros, producing wines renowned for their concentration, complexity and ageing potential. While historically celebrated for its rich, oak-influenced Chardonnay, the winery has increasingly embraced greater restraint, precision and vineyard individuality. Its Pinot Noir wines reflect this philosophy, combining aromatic delicacy, refined texture and a distinctive sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kistler Vineyards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e USA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Russian River Valley AVA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Variety:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Pinot Noir\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWine Style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Still Red Wine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSweetness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14.1%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Goldridge and gravelly Sebastopol soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard Sources:\u003c\/strong\u003e Laguna Ridge, Silver Belt and Gravenstein\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Selection:\u003c\/strong\u003e Proprietary Heritage Selection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand Harvested at Night\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indigenous Yeast, Whole Berry Fermentation in Open-Top Fermenters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePressing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-Run Juice Only, No Pressing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaturation:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 Months in French Oak Barrels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNew Oak:\u003c\/strong\u003e 38%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduction Attributes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unfined and Unfiltered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Saint Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67672110465326,"sku":"6688204529","price":259.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/6596\/6894\/files\/2024_Kistler_Vineyards_Russian_River_Valley_Pinot_Noir_750ml.png?v=1791503323","url":"https:\/\/www.jcfinewines.au\/products\/2024-kistler-russian-river-valley-pinot-noir-750ml","provider":"JC FINE WINES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}