Archived Articles


Pocket Guide to Wine

Anthony Dias Blue’s
2006

Kingston Family Vineyards is an “up-and-coming winery worth watching.” Read More
International Wine Cellar

Stephen Tanzer’s
March/April 2006

2004 Bayo Oscuro Syrah. “Rich and smoky, with vivid aromas…”
2004 Cariblanco Sauvignon Blanc. “Spicy, lemony and brisk on the nose…” Read More
Wine Enthusiast

November 2005

Sommeliers' new Chilean favorite. The best Pinot Noirs I've tried from Chile..." Read More
Decanter

November 2005

In his article "The Land of Red", Peter Richards highlights Kingston Family Vineyards Syrah "Bayo Oscuro" 2003 among a recommended short list of five Chilean syrahs.
Wine & Spirits

February 2005

91 points, Kingston Family Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley Cariblanco 2004, $15 "From one of the coolest, western-most vineyards in the Casablanca Valley, Cariblanco offers not only a wide range of concentrated green fruit and a lovely, citric acidity packed with vibrant mineral flavors, but also an appealing funky note all the way through the palate...complex and profound.”
Bay Area Wine Project

July 2004

An excerpt: "... The wines are not like anything else I have had from Chile. It may not matter since these wines are more about their varietal and cool-climate than they are about their country of origin but they certainly set themselves apart from 99.9% of the pedestrian vino that is exported. The wines are unmistakably cool weather and one cannot miss the echoes of their source. Kosuge is still figuring out his grapes but there is no cause for trial-and-error winemaking as no one has a defter hand at cool-site grapes than he." Read More
Wine Spectator

October 2004

"New Wines, New Faces: Kingston Family Vineyards"

An excerpt from the full-page article: "Chile's Casablanca Valley has built a reputation chiefly for producing lively whites, mainly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, from its cool-climate vineyards. Red wines ... have garnered little public attention. Courtney Kingston would like to change that. The first two wines indicate that Kingston's commitment to reds may pay off..." Read More
The Wine Advocate

Robert Parker’s
October 2004

87 points, Kingston Family Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley Alazan 2003 $28 "One of the rare Pinots from South America to have graced the pages of this publication, the Pinot Noir Alazan reveals aromatic and flavor profiles of jammy, spicy dark fruits. Medium bodied and slightly muddled, its broad rich personality coats the taster's palate with rich dark flavors that linger in its seamless finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
Wine & Spirits

October 2004

90 points, Kingston Family Syrah Casablanca Valley Bayo Oscuro 2003, $28 "Since the mid-'90s, when syrah started to make its way in Chile, most of it has been growing in warm sites. Now, new ventures like this Kingston Family wine, grown in western Casablanca, are proving that the Pacific's cold influence can create superb syrahs. Bayo Oscuro has been crafted from vines planted on the steepest, most sun-exposed site in the vineyard. Even so, cold ocean breezes delayed the '03 harvest to the beginning of May and transformed the fruit into a fresh, juicy and round syrah. Its vibrant acidity, firm tannins, and strawberry jam flavor give a clear sense of place."

88 points, Kingston Family Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley Alazan 2003 $28 "From the western reaches of the Casablanca valley, facing the Pacific Ocean, this vineyard's cool-climate pinot noir packs a lot of red fruit. Crisp and young, the wine delivers generous raspberry and cherry aromas, all together in a juicy texture."
Wine Spectator

August 2004

89 points, Kingston Family Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley Alazan 2003 $28 "Delightful red and black cherry aroma, with fleshy, medium-weight cherry, plum, spice and toast flavors that build through the finish, where a nice spicy hint lingers. Really delicious. Drink now through 2005."

89 points, Kingston Family Syrah Casablanca Valley Bayo Oscuro 2003 $28

"Freshly crushed raspberry and boysenberry fruit aromas and flavors here, with notes of pepper, fig and minerals. Fleshy in the middle, but with nice taut acidity holding the finish together. Drink now through 2005."
MSNBC

July 2004

Kingston Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Alazan 2003 "Chilean fruit, California winemaker. Very pretty, with bright fruit; full, round tannins. Leave it for a couple years."
Courtney Kingston and Byron Kosuge

Kingston Family Vineyards Bottles

Kingston Family Vineyards Winery

Kingston Family Vineyards