May 18, 2017 - Significant new oak renders the 2011 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay difficult to assess.
July 9, 2015 - Nice wine, marked by oak and with a fat mouth. I like a bit more verticality in my whites. It was fun to share it with friends who, like me, are not used to Californian Chardonnay.
April 11, 2015 - Very nice Sonoma Chard, but no formal notes taken (thus no score). Second bottle to be finished in a line of ~15
September 4, 2014 - Evergreen and herby and really mineral across the palate. Lots of drive and energy. Rather in a good place. Rather darn long and expressive. Settled down into itself. Not nearly as tart and nervy (although that is still all there) and delicious. That's a wine.
May 18, 2014 - Steely minerality. Light on oak. Very chablisienne. Great medium bodied CA chard. Probably better in a year. I wish it wasn't $65.
February 16, 2014 - Still young, but really enjoyed the bottle. I felt like this was a better value than some of the Hirsch pinots. Not too much oak, well balanced acidity.
January 15, 2014 - Bigger than I remember but with steely fruit in the background. Long finish, just opened, we shall see.
December 21, 2013 - Holiday Chardonnay Tasting & Dinner (Residence of Tony and Paulette Kelley): Crisp and enjoyable chardonnay that clearly shows that Hirsch's winemaking has caught up to its farming. Decanted for approx. 90 minutes prior to consumption. Beautiful floral notes, lemon zest and asian pear. Shows great balance and just the perfect amount of acidity. So enjoyable. I have no clue how I am going to be able to keep my hands off the last bottle I have.
November 12, 2013 - Wonderful, zesty chardonnay. Pear and melon seem to dominate. Oak is evident, but does not dominate. Smooth finish. Have another bottle and will save for an appropriate occasion.
August 19, 2013 - Wow, ripe lime, lemon curd, herb, light caramel and oak grain. Pear herb. Alongside 2011 Kistler Chard 'Noisetiers.' Going back to the Hirsch, the aromas show some thing botrytisized. Spiced apricot/marmalade/candied guava, not unlike old smaragd Gruner. White flower and perfume aromas. Full and sexy palate. Ripe and smooth appeal. Oak is there, but not flashy. A pear ice cube of texture, Chablisienne mineral and loads of complexity going on here. So many, I feel I may have too many...
Day 3 and still strong. Lots of texture. Currant leaf aroma. Cherry. Not all white aromas. Really, a wild wine from top to bottom. Buy, buy, buy.
Day four and still dazzling. More comfortable today. Ripe Asian pear. And flesh.