Hirsch Vineyards Tasting with Jasmine Hirsch

A tasting through some 2013-2014 wine from Hirsch Vineyards arranged by Paul at Roberson Wines. Jasmine was a great guide to lead us through the wines, not as in a formal tasting but more with stories and background and just generally talking about the vineyard, the region and her father, who planted the vineyard, in a very engaging way. It was easy going and relaxed and one of the more enjoyable tastings we've done for a while.

• 2013 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  From a warmer vintage. This had a very long regular fermentation of over a year, Battonage around once a week and 100% Malo, aged in 10-15% new oak. Ripe fruit, near tropical with a dash of creamy oak and cashew, bags of acidity, quite rich and a long finish.

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• 2014 Hirsch Vineyards Chardonnay

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  From a more classic vintage, and the year younger means it's not as open as the 2013, taut and tense, leaner in styleq, crisp, lovely acidity and very long.

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• 2013 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  An estate blend of 30 different parcels from 50% old vines the rest mid aged. Medium light body, lots of interest and good acidity, good finish.

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• 2014 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  An estate blend of 30 different parcels from 50% old vines the rest mid aged. This wine was juicier than the '13 but retained more elegance, clearly from the same family line.

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• 2013 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir West Ridge

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  From a part of the vineyard affected by leaf roll virus. Apparently no stems were used in 2013. Sappy and nicely spicy, slightly more savoury than the '14 ta this stage.

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• 2014 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir West Ridge

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  From a part of the vineyard affected by leaf roll virus. Around 50% stems used in 2014. This has much more obvious fruit, cherry, raspberry and is very juicy but very good elegance. Has the acidity and length that all the wines showed in this tasting

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• 2013 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir East Ridge

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Some phylloxera affecting this vineyard and it's warmer than the west ridge. This wine is quite ripe and flamboyant, it's quite intense. Deeper and richer body, full , tangy with middle eastern spices. Really delicious now

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• 2014 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir East Ridge

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Some phylloxera affecting this vineyard and it's warmer than the west ridge vineyard. Around 50% stems used this year. More elegant again than the '13. Floral and spices on the nose, lean by comparison, high acid and medium tannins.

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I have tried some of the wines before, but not in a formal tasting. They all had great Sonoma coast acidity and had an elegant style, particularly the '14's. The wines were riper and bigger up to the 2008 vintage, from 2009 they express the Sonoma coast much more and when they found their current style. They aren't that cheap like most Californian wines that make it to the uk, but between a good burgundy village and decent 1er Cru in price, It feels in keeping with the quality that we tasted this evening. I'd be happy to have any of the Pinot's in my cellar and happily drink the Chardonnay.