2021 Hirsch Pinot Noir West Ridge

The 2021 Pinot Noir West Ridge is the oldest of the reserve-level wines, where the vines are 30+ years old and more influenced by the ocean. It’s more reserved initially on the nose, but as it opens, it reveals notes of framboise, sweet forest earth, cocoa, and violets. Medium-bodied and silky in texture, with fine tannins, even-keeled balance, and noble structure on the long finish, it’s refined and more high-toned, with a weightless feel and notes of fresh cranberry. With great length, fine tannins, and lifted fresh acidity, it’s a wonderful vintage for this wine, which also captures the concentration of the fruit without ever losing its graceful and lifted energy. Drink 2025-2040. Located in Fort Ross, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, David Hirsch purchased his estate in 1978 and planted his first vines in 1980. His daughter Jasmine Hirsch took over as winemaker with the 2019 vintage. They have been practicing biodynamic viticulture since 2011 and were fully converted over in 2014. Their focus and attention are on the site, resulting in wines that offer elegance and purity, with transparency in regard to their sense of place. While I have been a fan of these wines for a long time, they are continuing to push the bar higher and higher, slowly evolving their style to find balance and a new level of completeness in the resulting wines today. For readers who have not checked in on the Hirsch wines in a while, I would highly encourage you to seek these 2021s out.