2018 Hirsch Chardonnay

Starting with the 2018 Chardonnay,Sonoma Coast which comes all from the estate Hirsch Vineyard in the Fort Ross-Seaview appellation, it was barrel fermented and aged 10 months in barrel followed by two months in tank. It has a Burgundian bouquet of mulled stone fruits, brioche, green almonds, and chalky minerality. Just hitting 13% natural alcohol, it offers medium-bodied richness, a beautiful, layered texture, bright yet integrated acidity, and a great finish. Straight-up classy, it’s going to evolve positively for 2-4 years and keep for over a decade.

The 2018 Chardonnay Estate, from vines planted in 1994, opens with toasted nuts, gunflint, candle smoke and fresh Red Delicious apples with wafts of dried herbs and green tea. The palate is light to medium-bodied with a silky texture and gently nutty character, finishing long, fresh and mineral driven. Lovely! 600 cases were made.

The 2018 Chardonnay Estate is soft and easygoing, which makes it a good choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Apricot, mint, chamomile and light tropical accents give the 2018 a lovely sense of immediacy. It would be nice to see a little more mid-palate depth and persistence. The 2018 is an especially easygoing Chardonnay from Hirsch.