Failla

Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir

9.416 ratings
9.55 pro ratings
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Shengli Hu

Couldn't find entry, logging Stella Sonoma Coast Pinot 2017 here: 225 and Calera clones. Elevated acidity, med tannins. Cola nuts, faint herbs, red plums, blackberry, med+/elevated concentration, overripe strawberry, black tea bag, lavender, tomato, stony characters. ~13% abv. 2017 was super hot in Sonoma, >100 degree heat spikes in June-July cause vines to shut down, rapid ripening more akin to Oregon of erratic growing season (whereas usually California boasts of constant long growing season). Gravel loam soil. 10-40% whole cluster, hand punchdowns, stem inclusion. Foot treaded. WC raises pH as high acid -> more stem inclusion to balance the pH. Failla picks on pH at ~23-24 Brix which would be a bit too high.

Couldn't find entry, logging Stella Sonoma Coast Pinot 2017 here: 225 and Calera clones. Elevated acidity, med tannins. Cola nuts, faint herbs, red plums, blackberry, med+/elevated concentration, overripe strawberry, black tea bag, lavender, tomato, stony characters. ~13% abv. 2017 was super hot in Sonoma, >100 degree heat spikes in June-July cause vines to shut down, rapid ripening more akin to Oregon of erratic growing season (whereas usually California boasts of constant long growing season). Gravel loam soil. 10-40% whole cluster, hand punchdowns, stem inclusion. Foot treaded. WC raises pH as high acid -> more stem inclusion to balance the pH. Failla picks on pH at ~23-24 Brix which would be a bit too high.

Aug 13th, 2022
Joshua Fisher

winemaker shown

winemaker shown

Sep 18th, 2019
Greg Gregory

Lovely. One of the best CA Pinots I've ever had.

Lovely. One of the best CA Pinots I've ever had.

Jan 14th, 2017
Tom Riley

2014. Exuberant fruit and acid-laced juice and pretty grapes all in a row. Yowza! Too young but so damn tasty. #allthetools #AtoZ

2014. Exuberant fruit and acid-laced juice and pretty grapes all in a row. Yowza! Too young but so damn tasty. #allthetools #AtoZ

Dec 28th, 2016
Josh Luhn

Luhn Wine Consulting Owner, Luhn Family Wines

9.4

2011 - One of the best Faillas I've had.

2011 - One of the best Faillas I've had.

Jun 26th, 2016
Kaitlin Ohlinger

Super transparent with its terroir. Fruit shines through gritty layers of distinct tannin. Hirsch has such a clear voice. Amaze.

Super transparent with its terroir. Fruit shines through gritty layers of distinct tannin. Hirsch has such a clear voice. Amaze.

Apr 30th, 2016
Chris Opdyke

Damn!! Layered dark fruit, complexity, and a long finish. What else do you need in a wine?

Damn!! Layered dark fruit, complexity, and a long finish. What else do you need in a wine?

Apr 18th, 2016
Josh Luhn

Luhn Wine Consulting Owner, Luhn Family Wines

9.4

2011 - Best Failla I've ever tasted. True purity of fruit. Red raspberry juice.

2011 - Best Failla I've ever tasted. True purity of fruit. Red raspberry juice.

Dec 27th, 2015
Adam Foster

Beverage Director Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop, Blue Coop Restaurant

9.4

A beauty.

A beauty.

Nov 3rd, 2015
Shengli Hu

Couldn't find entry, logging the Reuling vineyard Pinot 2018 here. Compared to Hirsch it's tarter more red fruit forward, fresh cranberry, white pepper, more lifted brightness in fruit. Some mushroom. High acidity, low tannins.

Couldn't find entry, logging the Reuling vineyard Pinot 2018 here. Compared to Hirsch it's tarter more red fruit forward, fresh cranberry, white pepper, more lifted brightness in fruit. Some mushroom. High acidity, low tannins.

Aug 13th, 2022