The newest edition of the superb wine
magazine, The World of Fine Wine, has a wonderful article in it about the history and geography
of the “true Sonoma Coast.” It is no surprise that this article begins with the words,“David Hirsch….” David is, of course, the pioneer of the Sonoma Coast Appellation and
one of Sonoma County’s most influential wine personalities. We certainly wouldn’t be
where we are as a winery if David hadn’t agreed to sell us fruit back in the spring of 1995.
Purchasing fruit from an icon definitely leads to a certain level of anxiety every time we
release a new Hirsch Pinot Noir (even after 12 vintages). We really want the wine to be
worthy of the place and the person behind it. Couple this with the fact that the Hirsch
Vineyard oftentimes best expresses itself in a wine not with simple power (something in
vogue with many California Pinot Noir drinkers these days) but rather with balance, elegance,
and complexity and we always fret about how the wine will be received.
The 2006 Hirsch displays just the beauty that we want in this wine. Lighter-colored, but
full of flavors of raspberry and sour cherries, this wine really builds in the mouth. The finish
displays good acidity and a pleasing hint of earthiness and even a touch of minerality.
This wine drinks well enough now but we have always had good success with aging our Hirsch Pinot Noirs. We have no doubts that this wine will improve for five or more years.
PRODUCTION: 516 Cases
RELEASE DATE: November 2007
Click here for a printer-friendly version of this page
|
