2004 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir
Winemaker's Notes
I am extremely pleased to be working with this fruit again, in our first vintage since 2001. Aromas of wild blackberries, cassis, cola and truffles come bursting out. The concentrated flavors of wild berries, spice, cardamom and coffee expand throughout the palate. Round, brooding tannins are carried through nicely with a bit of acidity in the finish.
—Winemaker Bob Cabral
The Vineyard
Hirsch Vineyard is located above Fort Ross on a rugged, mountainous ridge parallel to the Pacific shore at an altitude of roughly 1,500 feet above sea level. David Hirsch farms 72 acres of his 1,100 acre ridgetop ranch, planted mostly in Pinot noir. Though located within 3.5 miles of the ocean, the vineyard is well above the marine fogline, receiving radiant sunlight throughout the day during the growing season. In close proximity to the San Andreas Fault line, the vineyard consists of a patchwork of blocks with geologically diverse soils and varying exposures and a variety of clones. Hirsch Blocks 4B, 5E and 6F that make up the Williams Selyem Hirsch Pinot Noir are planted in Mt. Eden, Pommard and Swan clones, respectively.
Harvest 2004
A hot spell in March followed by a warm spring influenced an unusually early bloom and budbreak. This precocious start, followed by a growing season of moderate temperatures, resulted in a very early harvest. Although we harvested the grapes two to three weeks earlier than normal, the long season provided ample time for the fruit to reach full maturity and develop extraordinary color and intense flavors. A cooling trend in mid-September offered the Chardonnay additional hang time prior to harvest.
Technical Notes
| Barrel Description: | 67% new, 33% 1-year-old |
|---|---|
| Barrel Aged: | 16 months |
| pH: | 3.49 |
| TA: | 0.61g/100ml |
| Alc.: | 14.1% |
| Release Date: | Fall 2006 |
| Release Price: | $69 |