Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve 2015

Hirsch Vineyards is one of California's founding addresses for cool-climate Pinot Noir — a pioneering estate that began planting in 1980 on a remote 1,000-acre ridge perched above the Pacific Ocean in what is now the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, before the conversation about "True Sonoma Coast" even existed. David Hirsch started the conversation on how close great Pinot Noir can grow to the coast — the dramatic topography, proximity to the ocean, and the San Andreas Fault geology combining to create one of California's most singular and irreplaceable Pinot Noir sites. The Reserve is selected from the very best and oldest vineyard blocks across the property — a single vineyard comprising 61 distinct farming blocks, each developed based on soil, exposure and topography, farmed, harvested and vinified separately — bringing together the finest barrels from the vintage to capture the most complete and powerful expression of the Hirsch Vineyard.

Layered aromas of cranberry sauce, blueberries, lavender, mint, woodsmoke and meaty undertones — the medium-bodied palate seamless and expressive, with an ultra silky texture, vibrant acidity, highly concentrated complex flavours and a long, spicy finish. Complex notes of thyme, tarragon, white pepper and vanilla on the nose; dazzling acidity, deep red fruit and grippy tannins that suggest this bottle is in it for the long haul. Dark and briary, with black cherry, blackberry and singed alder notes, followed by a gorgeous dried blood orange echo on the finish — a wine of tight grain and deep cut that narrows its focus and adds more length than any other cuvée in the range. This is Pinot Noir made on the edge — geographically, climatically and qualitatively — and the Reserve is its most complete and compelling statement.