2019 Hirsch Pinot Noir Raschen Ridge
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This vineyard, which sits behind the winery, is planted with high vine density and produces lower yields. The 2019 Pinot Noir Raschen Ridge is fragrant of violets, mountain herbs, and pure cherry fruit. The palate is a bit fleshier, with energetic tension on the finish. It is layered and floral, with incense, black raspberry, and turned earth, as well as warming spice. Drink 2024-2039. Located in Fort Ross, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, David Hirsch purchased his estate in 1978 and planted his first vines in 1980. The 2019 vintage, which was predominantly what was shown to me, marks the first vintage with his daughter, Jasmine Hirsch, taking the lead as winemaker for the estate. They have been practicing biodynamic viticulture since 2011 and were fully converted over in 2014. Their focus and attention is on the site, resulting in wines that offer elegance and purity, with transparency in regard to their sense of place.
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Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Pinot Noir Raschen Ridge has a medium ruby color and aromas of cranberries and strawberries, conifer, amaro, forest floor and dried lavender. The palate surprises with its concentration of spicy, earth-laced fruits and powerful structure from ripe, grainy tannins, and it finishes long and layered. It deserves another 2-3 years in bottle to unwind.
Made entirely from estate fruit and biodynamically farmed. Raschen Ridge is a specific block on the property bottled separately since 2014. 15% whole cluster. 34% new oak and 16 months' ageing. The Raschen Ridge immediately showcases a broader nose and palate, deeper tones and more amplitude. This is the wine to reach for when wanting comparatively more impact. Though it should be said there is still restraint here – the intensity of the wine feels innate rather than imposed. It simply carries confidence. The flavours are more woodsy (not woody), more savoury and showcase the darker side of the red-fruit spectrum with a few black berries mixed in. The tannin profile is fine-grained and lengthy. It is a bit riper, a bit burlier compared with the West Ridge, while more comparable in size (though differing in character) to the Maritime, Reserve and East Ridge. (ECB)
The 2019 Pinot Noir Raschen Ridge is deep, pliant and super-expressive. It emerges from a block between the East and West Ridges planted in 2002 and 2003 on very poor soils at elevation. It possesses notable depth and stature. Immensely distinctive, black cherry, plum, spice, licorice and mocha. There’s real depth and substance here. The 2019 is a knock-out.