Hirsch Vineyards East Ridge Pinot Noir 2021

Hirsch Vineyards is one of California’s most revered cool climate Pinot Noir estates, located on the extreme Sonoma Coast near Fort Ross. Located in the Seaview AVA, that was established in 2012, which is a far smaller and more specific region than the vast West Sonoma Coast AVA. The Pacific Ocean exerts a defining influence here with vineyards just 3 miles from the coast. The East Ridge is one of the estate’s key vineyard areas, sitting in a more sheltered area, sloping steeply into a deep interior valley, with gentler slopes and a marginally warmer microclimate than their West Ridge vineyard area but still planted at 488m elevation. This allows for more consistent ripening while still retaining the freshness that defines the site. The soils on the East Ridge are composed primarily of weathered sandstone and shale with pockets of clay and decomposed marine sediments, offering slightly more water retention and depth compared to the thinner, rockier soils of the West Ridge. In contrast, the West Ridge is more exposed to wind and fog, with poorer, more fractured soils that produce smaller yields and more intensely structured wines. As a result, East Ridge wines tend to show greater openness, roundness and aromatic generosity, while West Ridge bottlings are typically more tightly wound, mineral driven and austere in youth.

Hirsch Vineyards East Ridge Pinot Noir 2021 is made from 100 per cent Pinot Noir, hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts, often including a proportion of whole cluster to enhance aromatic lift and structure. The wine is aged for approximately 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels, with a restrained use of new oak to preserve site expression. Reflecting the character of the East Ridge, the wine shows generous aromas of red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry, alongside notes of rose petal, baking spice and subtle earth. The palate is supple and layered, with fine tannins, bright acidity and a long, balanced finish that combines richness with precision. It pairs beautifully with roast duck, poultry, pork and mushroom based dishes. Drinking well with decanting, it will continue to evolve over the next 8-12 years, gaining further complexity and nuance.