Hirsch Vineyards

West Ridge Pinot Noir

9.528 ratings
9.514 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
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Writing notes from memory rather than real time as I normally do.

I’ve never loved many of the 2010 Napa/Sonoma wines. For me, they just don’t show the body and structure I’ve become accustom to from the region in their best years. 2010 was cooler, had more overcast/hazy days and some rain at harvest that complicated things.

The West Ridge showed nice fruits of; black cherry, strawberries, cherries, some lean blackberries, cranberries and pomegranate. The fruits were lighter in style on the first night from Coravin. The second night the wine put on some weight. It was mostly fruit and not a lot of complexity. However, had some very and I mean very light baking spices, hint of herbaceous and soft understated minerals and limestone. Rounded out with some fresh pink & red florals. The acidity was very nice. However, the finish while nicely fruit driven, smooth & elegant, it left me a little palate empty and wanting more from the bottling.

I did enjoy the lower 12.8% ABV though...wish more producers were in the 12-13% range.

Photos of; the Hirsch tasting room, Owner David Hirsch, their barrel room and one of their Sonoma vineyards.

Writing notes from memory rather than real time as I normally do.

I’ve never loved many of the 2010 Napa/Sonoma wines. For me, they just don’t show the body and structure I’ve become accustom to from the region in their best years. 2010 was cooler, had more overcast/hazy days and some rain at harvest that complicated things.

The West Ridge showed nice fruits of; black cherry, strawberries, cherries, some lean blackberries, cranberries and pomegranate. The fruits were lighter in style on the first night from Coravin. The second night the wine put on some weight. It was mostly fruit and not a lot of complexity. However, had some very and I mean very light baking spices, hint of herbaceous and soft understated minerals and limestone. Rounded out with some fresh pink & red florals. The acidity was very nice. However, the finish while nicely fruit driven, smooth & elegant, it left me a little palate empty and wanting more from the bottling.

I did enjoy the lower 12.8% ABV though...wish more producers were in the 12-13% range.

Photos of; the Hirsch tasting room, Owner David Hirsch, their barrel room and one of their Sonoma vineyards.

Oct 23rd, 2018
Julia Weinberg

Smitten with the first sip. It's pretty damn magical.

Smitten with the first sip. It's pretty damn magical.

2 people found it helpfulJan 25th, 2013
Tony McClung

President Scarpetta Wine

10

Thank you JazzLady!

Thank you JazzLady!

1 person found it helpfulJul 16th, 2013
Amy Lutchen

Sommelier The Boarding House

10

Amy had this 11 years ago

Amy had this 11 years ago

1 person found it helpfulJun 6th, 2013
Ross Cobb

Owner/Winemaker Cobb Wines, Winemaker Hirsch Vineyards, Claypool Cellars, Banshee Wines

9.7

Outstanding, but tight still.

Outstanding, but tight still.

Nov 16th, 2014
Jasmine Hirsch

Sales & Marketing Hirsch Vineyards, founder In Pursuit of Balance

9.0

Last night's Hirsch dinner: first flight - the 2010s.

Last night's Hirsch dinner: first flight - the 2010s.

Jan 14th, 2014
Jasmine Hirsch

Sales & Marketing Hirsch Vineyards, founder In Pursuit of Balance

9.3

Favorite Hirsch wine of the day yesterday, by popular consensus!

Favorite Hirsch wine of the day yesterday, by popular consensus!

Apr 26th, 2013
Jeff Christner

This is the best!!! Pinot! Sonoma!

This is the best!!! Pinot! Sonoma!

Aug 3rd, 2019
Joe Davant

This wine is in a great place right now. Perfumed, elegant, soaring aromatics combine with deep, complex, and surprisingly rich cherry and strawberry notes plus elements of earth, forest floor, and plenty of acidity. What a pleasure.

This wine is in a great place right now. Perfumed, elegant, soaring aromatics combine with deep, complex, and surprisingly rich cherry and strawberry notes plus elements of earth, forest floor, and plenty of acidity. What a pleasure.

Aug 24th, 2018
Mark Rosse

Coming into its own!

Coming into its own!

Dec 20th, 2017