98-Points by Jancis Robinson & Vinous.
Practicing Biodynamic
The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate West Ridge is magnificent. Soaring aromatics make a strong opening statement. Wild dark cherry, lavender, mint, spice and orange peel lend nuance. This translucent, wonderfully detailed Pinot has so much to offer. Time in the glass brings out layers of savory and mineral complexity. Like all the 2021s here, the West Ridge possesses mind-blowing purity and exceptional finesse.
 
Lying adjacent to the San Andreas Fault on the extreme western Sonoma Coast, Hirsch Vineyards is comprised of 72 acres, divided into 67 individual farming blocks. This degree of fragmentation is unmatched even by the famously subdivided vineyards of Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits. Due to the site’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the San Andreas Fault, the vineyard has a fearsome diversity of soils, aspects, elevations and microclimates. This complexity defines our farming and winemaking practices: each block was individually developed and is now farmed, harvested and vinified separately.
The West Ridge is a series of hilltop vineyard blocks, spread along the main ridge of Hirsch like vertebrae along a spine. Altogether the West Ridge covers 26 acres, divided into 24 farming blocks. The West Ridge Pinot Noir is a selection of the most exceptional barrels from six of the finest and oldest blocks on West Ridge. These are planted to the heritage pinot noir selections of Swan, Mount Eden and Pommard-Wädenswil. The West Ridge is produced 100% from the single vineyard of Hirsch.
Predominantly comprised of heavy, black clay soils that are highly compacted, acting more like bedrock than clay
Planted in 1992-95 (65%), 2002 (35%)
Block 6 (20%), Block 7 (45%), and Block 12 (35%)
Clones: Mount Eden (45%), Swan (40%), and Pommard-Wädenswil (15%)
540 cases produced
Aged in 34% new French oak
12.9% abv