2020 Hirsch Pinot Noir Estate Reserve
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Tasting notes
At this stage, the 2020 Pinot Noir Reserve seems to have escaped impact from the season's devastating wildfires and heat. The nose offers a core of cranberry sauce with accents of dried orange peel, hibiscus, tea leaves, earth and spice. The light-bodied palate has a concentrated core of spicy fruit framed by grainy tannins and refreshing acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Pinot Noir Reserve pours a rich ruby with a bit of youthful purple and has aromas of black raspberry, wild herbs, menthol, and fresh soil. Medium to full-bodied, with an angular structure, it has driving energy with wonderful balance, revealing notes of fresh red cherry, herbes de Provence, and saline. An outstanding wine from this challenged vintage, drink it 2023-2040.
The 2020 Pinot Noir Reserve is quite elegant in this vintage, which I suspect is a reflection of the blocks that made it into the final blend. The 2020 has the darker fruit profile that is typical of this bottling but not quite the heft or tannic intensity of most years. Most importantly, the balance here is impeccable. Give this time to soften.
So much hibiscus and purple fruit, together with dried citrus and minerals. Itâs full, yet vivid and energetic, with fantastic length and intensity. Amazing linear strength and energy. This is from the best barrels of their production. A triumph for the vintage. Drinkable on release in 2023, but even better in 2024.