Wine & Spirits
Kingston Family Vineyards selected as a Value Brand of the Year. June 2010.
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Wine Spectator
90 points, 2008 Lucero Syrah: “Very fresh and youthful, still with bright violet, plum and black cherry fruit leading the way, followed by stylish notes of white pepper and iron. The polished finish has nicely integrated toast. Drink now through 2011.” May 2010. Also in May 2010, James Molesworth recommends 2008 Lucero Syrah as TOP VALUE.
91 points,
2007 Bayo Oscuro: “Very inviting, with fig and boysenberry fruit backed by velvety
structure. The long, mocha- and spice cake-filled finish glides along
nicely. Ripe, but elegant and pure. Mouthfilling. Delicious. Drink now through 2010. ” October 2009.
90 points, 2007 Alazan Pinot Noir: “Surprisingly juicy, with really solid black cherry and cassis notes layered attractively with spice and toast shadings. A hint of wet earth on the finish adds length and complexity.” January 2009.
90 points, 2007 Lucero Syrah: “Rich, but light on its feet, with racy violet, blackberry, raspberry and sweet spice notes that race through the mineral-tinged finish. Offers fine length and grace. Drink now through 2010.” May 2009.
90 points, 2006 Cariblanco Sauvignon Blanc: “Spectator Selection” and “Smart Buy.” July 2007.
90 points, 2004 Bayo Oscuro Syrah. July 2006.
Wine Spectator
Great Values from Chile, by James Molesworth 13 excellent value wines show that the country’s diverse geography is fertile ground for cool-climate grapes “Chile has a long tradition of success with warm-climate varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère. But now this long, thin country is starting to show some of its geographical diversity by demonstrating success with cool-climate varieties as well. …Of particular note are the Syrahs from winemaker Evelyn Vidal of Kingston Family—the wines show dark fruit flavors but stay elegant in profile, with hints of spice, mineral and white pepper. The Pinots are also delicious, with silky mouthfeel and a range of red and black fruit flavors…” 2007 Bayo Oscuro Syrah 2007 (91 points), 2008 Alazan Pinot Noir and 2008 Tobiano Pinot Noir are reviewed in the article. October 30, 2009.
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Wine Spectator
James Molesworth features 2007 Lucero Syrah as one of two wines showing the potential of cool climate reds from Casablanca, in video Chile's Cool Reds. May 2009.
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Wine Spectator
Chile's One-Two Punch by James Molesworth in Wine Spectator’s May 31, 2009 issue maintains that the Kingstons “are proving Pinot Noir can thrive in Chile.” May 2009.
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Wine Spectator
Pinot Noir and Syrah from Chile by James Molesworth in Wine Spectator’s July 3, 2006 issue contains the comment that “New faces such as Kingston Family are…bringing excitement to Chile.” July 2006.
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Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
90 points, 2007 Bayo Oscuro Syrah. Dark purple. Cherry, blackberry, spices and cracked pepper on the pungent nose. Sweet red berry and bitter cherry qualities on the palate, along with notes of candied flowers and smoked meat. Showing a more serious personality than the Lucero today as well as more complexity. Finishes with very good clarity and a lingering bitterness. March 2010. 91 points, 2006 Bayo Oscuro Syrah. “Tangy and pinot-like in its precision and red fruit expression...I'd love to taste this alongside some high-end California syrahs.” March 2009.
90 points, 2007 Tobiano Pinot Noir. “Really alluring pinot...This would stack up well next to plenty of $50 pinots from the New or Old World.” March 2009.
2007 Lucero Syrah. “Inky ruby. Explosively perfumed...impressively long, juicy finish. This is a superb bargain that behaves like a California syrah costing at least twice as much.” March 2009.
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Wine & Spirits
90 points,
2008 Cariblanco Sauvignon Blanc: “The Kingston Vineyards are in Casablanca's coolest sector, where the coastal climate creates this furiously herbal and citrusy sauvignon. The texture is surprisingly lush; it is ideal for roast sea bass.” February 2010.One of 100 best buys of 2009: 2007
Lucero Syrah. "Grown on the clay and granite hills of lower Casablanca,
in the coldest part of the valley, Lucero is spicy and herbal up front,
and then warmer and in the minerally finish. Sharp acidity tones and
extends the sweet cherry flavor." November 2009. 92 points, 2007 Lucero Syrah. June 2009.
92 points,
2006 Bayo Oscuro Syrah: “The cherry and violet scent of this far-coast
syrah make a strong first impression, then follow through the generous
flavor of the wine.” October 2008.
91 points,
2007 Cariblanco Sauvignon Blanc: “This sauvignon is marked by a sharp
acidity that frames juicy citrus flavors and a creamy texture.” October 2008.
Silicon Valley Mercury News and Contra Costa Times
Corkheads: Wine Trends for 2010, and Beyond, by Jessica Yadegaran
Kingston Pinots recommended as wines to check out. Byron Kosuge noted as one of the world's Pinot Noir experts. January 13, 2010.
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Stanford Business
Days of Wine and Cows article features Courtney Kingston, managing partner of Kingston Family Vineyards. Fall 2009.
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Revista LaCav
Kingston winemaker Evelyn Vidal highlighted as one of 12 winemakers to watch. Fall 2009.
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The Almanac
Finding the Gold: Local woman and her family transform their great-grandfather's Chilean cattle ranch into vineyards, and make their mark in the wine world. June 2009.
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San Francisco Chronicle
“Chile’s Pinot Prospectors” profiles Kingston Family in a three-page feature in the Wine section. August 2007.
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Wine & Spirits
"Kingston Family Vineyards is one of the most important growers in Casablanca." Their Bayo Oscuro "is one of the most beautiful Syrahs ever made in Chile." February 2008.
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Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
“One of the rare Pinots from South America to have graced the pages of this publication…” October 2004.
2007 Cariblanco Sauvignon Blanc: “…a crisp, clean wine with ripe citrus flavors, good balance and a sprightly finish...” November 2008.
2006 Bayo Oscuro Syrah: “…purple-colored with an attractive, gamey, blue fruit bouquet…a meaty character, plush texture...” November 2008.
Wine Enthusiast
91 points, 2008 Alazan Pinot Noir."Kingston’s top-level Pinot Noir has been a consistent scorer for the past three vintages. The 2008 starts with pure raspberry and cherry aromas as well as tea accents, while the textbook palate has a proper feel and tasty raspberry and cherry flavors. Spice notes and integrated oak help it achieve its status as one of Chile’s truest,most recognizable Pinot Noirs. Drink now through 2011." March 2010. 90 points, 2007 Alazan Pinot Noir. May 2009.
90 points, 2006 Alazan Pinot Noir: “One of Chile’s most honest producers of varietally correct Pinot is Kingston Family.” May 2008.
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Wine Enthusiast
“ Sommeliers' new Chilean favorite. The best Pinot Noirs I've tried from Chile..." November 2005.
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Food & Wine Wine Guide 2009
2004 Bayo Oscuro Syrah: Winemaker Byron Kosuge spent 14 years at California's Saintsbury before branching out on his own to consult at smaller California wineries and in Chile, where he crafts big, bold wines like this Syrah; ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors are woven with notes of dust, spice, black pepper and toasty oak. *** EXCELLENT Top-notch of its type. November 2008.
Food & Wine
"Kingston Family Vineyards produces some of Chile’s best Pinots..." November 2007.
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Decanter
The article entitled From Zero to Hero - Chilean Syrah by Peter Richards recognizes 2008 Lucero Syrah with four stars and as one of the 10 Best Chilean Syrahs for Every Budget. "Complex, edgy aromatics, incorporating classic Syrah notes of violets, pepper and grilled meats. Lots of succulent cassis and plum fruit on the palate. Good lift on the finish. Full, savoury flavours with warming spice." June 2010. Decanter World Wine Awards 2010: 2008 Alazan Pinot Noir is awarded a Silver Medal. 2008 Tobiano Pinot Noir, 2008 Lucero Syrah and 2007 Bayo Oscuro Syrah are awarded Bronze Medals.
The cover article features Coastal Casablanca as
"one of the most exciting New World terroirs..." In the article entitled
Chile: Costal Casablanca by Peter Richards: "American-owned Kingston is one of the
area’s most promising producers. Winemaker Byron Kosuge, who spent 14
years at Saintsbury in Carneros, California, says Pinot Noir and
Sauvignon Blanc are the stars. “They have New World generosity with Old
World structure. At their best, they give the best of both worlds.”' July
2009.
In the article entitled Vintage Report: Chile 2007 in decanter.com, Peter Richards selects 2007 Lucero Syrah and 2007 Tobiano Pinot Noir in Richards’ Top Reds of the Vintage. He awards four stars
to 2007 Lucero Syrah: “Fine-grained and fresh primary fruit with juicy
concentration and a long peppery finish. Drink 2010–2013." And he
awards three stars to 2007 Tobiano Pinot Noir: “Good structure and elegant tannins. Floral, cherry notes with a smoky, oaky edge. Drink now." July 2009.
2006 Bayo Oscuro Syrah: In the article entitled Chile: Costal Casablanca by Peter Richards: "Inviting notes of baked fruits, fresh meat and warm earth characterize this round red with engaging rustic edges." July 2009.
2006 Bayo Oscuro Syrah: Five Star Wine: “Expressive, leafy, crunchy black fruits and fine complexity. Lovely fleshy palate yet not excessive and good vineyard expression. Slight Syrah leatheriness. Good future.” June 2009.
Decanter World Wine Awards 2009: 2006 Bayo Oscuro Syrah: Recommended Chilean Syrah. June 2009.
2007 Lucero Syrah: Recommended Chilean Syrah. June 2009.
2007 Lucero Syrah wins a Silver Medal and 2007 Tobiano Pinot Noir is awarded Commended. Spring 2009.
Bon Appetit
The 2007 Cariblanco Sauvignon Blanc is "one of our favorites." August 2008.
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