After two remarkable years at the Hirsch Vineyard we figured that the 2001 couldn't touch it. Boy were we wrong! The 2001 Siduri Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir rivals the 2000, 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 2001 vintage was, in some ways, the most unique vintage we have experienced at this vineyard. As you know, the Hirsch Vineyard is on the Sonoma Coast. In the case of this vineyard, this isn't just a political boundary-you can actually see the Pacific Ocean from the vineyard! This makes for a pretty cold place to grow grapes and yet, despite these cool growing conditions, the Hirsch Vineyard ripened its fruit rather quickly in 2001. We harvested 3 different sections from the Hirsch Vineyard at 3 very different times. On September 5 we harvested grapes from one of the Oceanside sections of the vineyard, another section was picked on September 13, and the last grapes were picked on October 1, 2001.
We fermented these lots separately using a combination of indigenous yeasts along with RC212 and Assmanhausen cultured yeasts. At the conclusion of fermentation we pressed each lot, using gravity, to approximately 50% new French oak barrels primarily from the Francois Freres cooperage house. As is our usual practice, the wine will not be fined nor filtered.
The 2001 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: 437 cases
RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2003
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