2011 Pinot Noir Estate Block 8

Hirsch is one of the most dramatic sites I have ever seen. Anywhere. The drive from Peay to Hirsch, with its dipping, curvy roads and spectacular views of the Pacific, is unforgettable. Don't worry about taking your cell phone. It won't work out here anyway. The sprawling estate covers 1,000 acres, of which 68 are under vine. David Hirsch's intuition to plant Pinot has turned out to be a divine inspiration, as this is without question one of the very best sites for Pinot Noir anywhere in California. Ross Cobb makes wines that are distinctive and loaded with personality. Hirsch is moving to 100% estate fruit. The Bohan Dillon Pinot, which in the past incorporated purchased fruit, is now 100% estate, while Hirsch is selling less fruit to other wineries. The 2011 Pinots are quite pretty, but they look to be built for the near and medium term. As always the Pinots were made with native fermentations and bottled with no fining or filtration. Unfortunately I was not able to taste the 2012 Chardonnay and Bohan Dillon, as neither wine had been bottled at the time of my tastings. Readers who haven't discovered the Hirsch Pinots owe it to themselves to do so. At their best, these are some of the most compelling wines being made anywhere in the world.