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After the amazing 1999 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir we figured that the 2000 couldn't touch it. Boy were we wrong! The 2000 Siduri Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir rivals both the 1999 and the 1995 as the finest Hirsch Pinot Noir that Siduri has produced.
We have been getting fruit from the Hirsch Vineyard since 1995. The 2000 vintage produced the lowest yields we have experienced at Hirsch-less than 3/4 of a ton per acre. What happened? In the midst of flowering the weather turned cool and damp. This inclement weather didn't last forever, just long enough to prevent any further flowering. Of course, we like naturally low yields although we occasionally worry that, in warm years, the combination of little fruit and hot weather will cause the grapes to ripen too fast. It looked like this might be a problem in 2000, at least until the weather cooled in mid-September. Thus we got the best of both worlds, low yields and a long hang time. Dianna harvested the Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir with David Hirsch and his crew on September 28, 2000. The fruit was loaded up and, on the way back to the winery, the truck broke down along the remote Sonoma Coast! Fortunately, she was able to make a static-filled call to a mechanic and, after about 30 minutes, she was back on the road.
We fermented the wine using a combination of indigenous yeasts along with RC212 and Barolo cultured yeasts. At the conclusion of fermentation we pressed the wine using gravity to approximately 50% new oak barrels primarily from the Francois Freres cooperage house. As is our usual practice, it was not racked nor filtered or fined.
The 2000 Siduri Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir is a deliciously pure Pinot Noir. Pronounced floral aromas practically jump out of the glass and yet there are also subtle scents of pine needles and cherries. The palate is seamless with ripe red cherries, nutmeg spice and a velvet mouth feel. The tannins are especially well-integrated, making this a wine which, although it will age well, will be enjoyable right off the bat.
PRODUCTION: 139 cases
RELEASE DATE: March, 2002
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