2023 Hirsch Estate Chardonnay

Our Estate Chardonnay is the only white wine produced at Hirsch. With less than four acres of Chardonnay vines, production is highly limited. Vine age, dramatic soils, and our extreme maritime climate combine to create a wine of dazzling acidity, silky texture and pronounced minerality.

Our first Chardonnay vineyard was planted in 1994. That year, David Hirsch prepared 2.5 acres for planting on a rocky, 40% slope above his house. He was enamored with Barolo and intended to plant Nebbiolo. Burt Williams, who was buying our Pinot Noir grapes for his winery Williams Selyem, told David he was nuts and should plant Chardonnay instead. Thus the old Chardonnay vineyard was born. The cuttings came from Joe Rochioli; Williams Selyem made the wine from 1997 to 2000; Kistler took the fruit through 2005. In 2002 David planted an additional 1.4 acres of Chardonnay on a sandstone hill in field 12, just over the hill from the old vineyard. Together these two tiny vineyards comprise our estate Chardonnay, first produced in 2006.

Winemaking

The 2023 Chardonnay was direct pressed and transferred to French and Eastern European oak barrels, 28% new, for fermentation and élevage. No yeast was added at any point. Primary and malolactic fermentations occurred in barrel. No lees stirring was employed. The wine was racked clean to stainless steel for one month before bottling.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Estate Chardonnay is an electric and mouthwatering wine, with notable acidity and minerality. Upon opening, the nose is generous yet refined, with subtle notes of brioche, Fuji apples, Meyer lemon and a hint of saline. The palate leans Old World, with a focused mid palate and persistent finish. This is an incredibly classy wine, with fabulous mouthfeel and energy.