Single Block Pinot Noirs
Out of the exceptional 2007 vintage, we produced for the first time two single block wines from Hirsch Vineyards. Our signature wines such as the “San Andreas” and “Bohan Dillon” capture the complexity and totality of our site through the blending of different vineyard blocks. However there have always been certain blocks which, year after year, have produced stand-alone wines when tasted in barrel. Given the exceptional nature of 2007, which further enhanced the site-specificity of each individual farming block, we decided for the first time to bottle two of these blocks on their own. There are less than 50 cases of each of these wines, and they are reserved primarily for our best mailing list customers.
2007 Hirsch ‘Block 7’ Estate Pinot Noir
In 1992 we planted 3.29 acres to the old Martin Ray-Mt Eden clone. After the El Nino rains of 1998 (150”) the vines were near dead and we came close to ripping them out. Sensibly we decided to attempt to rehabilitate them and a short ten years later they have produced a marvelous pinot with the myriad Mt Eden and Hirsch nuances. These are stressed, highly virused vines that produce wines of complexity and delicacy.
47 cases bottled June 11, 2009. Alcohol: 13%; pH: 3.76; T/A: .632
Tasting Notes
The low alcohol permits the fruit to show its “old world” flavors: strawberry & sour cherry; then dried herbs, cinnamon, cola and earth spices. Pronounced acidity and firm tannins posit a long life of constant evolution.
2007 Hirsch ‘Block 6E’ Estate Pinot Noir
This wonderful wine comes from an acre planted to the swan clone in 1995. This is a field selection taken from the Kistler Vineyard. Kistler took his cuttings from Dehlinger, who had it from Joe Swan. So, the New World is now sowing its own genealogy of pinot genotypes. The Swan produces a rich, deep wine and the Hirsch site promotes very generous development of the acid-tannin complex.
48 cases bottled June 11, 2009. Alcohol: 15%; pH: .54; T/A: .65
Tasting Notes
Aromas of sweet plums, black cherries & apricot-cola introduce incense, spices: cinnamon & cola. The palate is very lush with crisp acidity & smooth mouth feel. Like a kite it soars to a long textured finish: a wine from the stellar regions.