2021 Hirsch Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir

Our intention in making a rosé at Hirsch Vineyards is to capture the character of Hirsch Pinot Noir, in rosé form. It is a true Hirsch wine, and a new lens into our site.

Winemaking

Serious rosés are made from serious fruit, and this wine is no exception. Made with 100% Hirsch Pinot Noir grapes, we pulled from four of our vineyard blocks to craft this wine. The grapes were harvested at close to the same time we pick for red Pinot Noir, ensuring a complete ripeness profile in the final wine. The grapes were destemmed and macerated overnight, before being pressed. The juice was barreled down into oak barrels for fermentation, with no added yeast or stirring. Approximately 20% new oak was used.

After approximately ten months in oak, the wine was bottled. It was then aged in bottle for another ten months before release.

This winemaking process is very similar to how we make our Estate Chardonnay, and quite unusual for rosé. The long, natural fermentation in barrel, combined with extended lees aging, has resulted in a wine with great depth and personality.

Tasting Notes

The color is a deep salmon rose. Upon opening, the wine is defined by a savory aromatic profile, with hints of fresh apricots in the background. With air, the wine opens up to reveal yellow peaches, Cara Cara oranges and lemongrass. On the palate, the wine has a generous yet energetic mouthfeel, with notable texture and presence. Savory and complex, the Hirsch Rosé is a wine of weight and distinction.

We recommend decanting this wine for 30 minutes before drinking. Serve cool but not cold. We recommend chilling the wine to 50 degrees and allowing it to warm up in the glass.