PETIT WEEK IN WINE | May 29th - June 2nd 2024 | |
TASTING FLIGHT FEATURING: | |
This week we are excited to bring you Jasmine Hirsch's latest release from some very special vineyards perched on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Fort Ross, just along the San Andreas Fault. Here you'll find diamond-cut Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that embody their sense-of-place, the extreme edge of the continent and the west Sonoma Coast! I cannot begin to tell you how incredible these wines have become.
You may recognize the name "Hirsch Vineyards" as David Hirsch was one of the first to plant vines in this rugged portion of what is now known as the Fort-Ross Seaview AVA. The vineyard also became world-renowned when Burt Williams (Williams Selyem), Ted Lemon (Littorai), and Steve Kistler (Kistler) showed up one day in the early 1990s, chose their blocks, and started making exceedingly good and ageworthy vineyard-designate Pinot Noir from the Hirsch Vineyards.
I still enjoy my memories of experiencing the wines at the estate vineyards back in 2015 and I had the chance to taste the newest 2021s last week. I found myself rather giddy, as I was struck with their balance and extreme expression - this is a vintage to celebrate & collect.
The Chardonnay has great tension, between the mouthwatering acidity and a silky round texture. Both Pinots are knockout delicious... the San Andreas with its fresh bouquet of dark red-toned fruit, and perfectly integrated tannins, and the East Ridge Pinot with its deceptive power, structure, and layers of vibrant fruit that build to an explosive finish.
The $35 Hirsch Vineyards Tasting Flight (a steal at that) starts Thursday, and with our South Africa Grande tasting Friday, you'll only be able to enjoy the Hirsch flight thereafter on Saturday and Sunday, provided we still have wine to pour!
So join us and please read on for more info on Hirsch and the weekend lineup.
Cheers & we hope to see you soon!
Mark
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Only 20 of 100 tickets now remain!
Reserve your spot today! |
Join us and discover four regions from boutique producers in South Africa.
We’ll be joined by winemakers:
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Neil Bruwer from Chamonix Estate in Franschhoek Valley
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Duncan Stuart from Kloovenburg Estate in Riebeek-Kasteel
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Wynand C. Grobler from De Kleine Wijn Koop in Tulbagh Valley
Get to know them and taste some of their delicious small production wines!
Experience the essence of South African wine culture through a curated selection of 12 exceptional wines, showcasing the diverse terroirs and varietals that make this region truly unique.
This inaugural kick-off-the-summer event is our nod to the best wine values we’ve seen in the 14 years of curating wines at Petit Philippe.
Tickets Here.
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PARK ROAD:
5:00 - 9:00pm Thursday
Friday: Safari Through the Vines Event from 6-8:00PM grande tasting only
1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday
1:00 - 7:00pm Sunday
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HIRSCH VINEYARDS
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Coast, CA
$87 btl/retail
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Just 3.9 acres of Chardonnay are planted at Hirsch, and from this limited area they produce one white wine per year. The 2021 Chardonnay is mineral, fresh and energetic, with a snappy mouthwatering texture.
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay from blocks planted in 1994 using cuttings from Joe Rochioli. Produced since 2006 (William Selyem made Chardonnay from these blocks from 1997-2000 and Kistler through 2005). Aged in French and Austrian oak barrels (27% new).
Tasting Notes: 2021 was a cool vintage, resulting in a mineral, fresh and energetic expression of Chardonnay! On the nose, the wine showcases notes of green apple, Asian pear, stone fruit flowers and lemon curd. The acidity is present but balanced, and the mouthfeel energetic. Drinkable and mouthwatering now, it will gain in weight and complexity with age. This wine is reminiscent of the spectacular 2011 and 2018 vintages!
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HIRSCH VINEYARDS
'San Andreas Fault' Pinot Noir 2021
Sonoma Coast, CA
$92 btl/retail
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The San Andreas Fault is the flagship wine from Hirsch. The 2021 is overflowing with fresh red cherries with hints of ripe peach, earth, wet stone, anise and mint. The palate is juicy and concentrated, with a long finish. There is a density of fruit here that marks this as one of the finest vintages ever produced of this wine and always a house favorite at Petit!
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir from 34 distinct farming blocks. Vine age is 49% from the 2000s, 50% from the 1990s, 1% from the 1980s. 12% whole cluster inclusion. Aged in French oak barrels (34% new).
Tasting Notes: On the nose, the wine shows fresh red cherries with hints of ripe peach, earth, wet stone, anise and mint. With air, crushed fresh strawberries emerge, along with hints of orange oil and dried straw. On the palate, the attack is juicy and concentrated, with notes of dried goji berry, dark plum skin and a hint of baking chocolate. The finish is long and persistent. The tannins here will evolve over a few years and the wine has ample fruit to age. There is a density of fruit in the 2021 San Andreas that marks it as one of the finest vintages ever produced of this wine, full stop.
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HIRSCH VINEYARDS
‘East Ridge’ Pinot Noir 2021
Sonoma Coast, CA
$128 btl/retail
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The 2021 Hirsch East Ridge Estate Pinot Noir is a selection of the very best barrels from the finest and most expressive blocks on the East Ridge! It was a challenge to decide on the West Ridge or East, but we're convinced THIS was the right choice!
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir from one of the oldest and most unique sections of the Hirsch Vineyard dating back to 1990. 80% of the old vines on the East Ridge are stricken with phylloxera, resulting in some of the lowest yields at Hirsch, and requiring intensive and meticulous vine-by-vine farming.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, a first impression of powerful dark fruit, although the wine is still quite shy at this young age. Notes of sage, orange zest, white flowers, polished mahogany, raspberries and fresh pomegranate emerge with air. On the palate, the fruit is dense and savory, with a silky texture that envelopes the tannins, resulting in a wine of elegant power and tremendous potential for aging. This is a WOW wine.
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Founded by David Hirsch in 1980, the vineyard’s core philosophy is centered around growing fruit and crafting site-specific wines that authentically reflect the profound characteristics of the terroir with each passing vintage. This commitment to capturing the clash of opposites in Nature and Life is evident in every sip, as the wines convey the edge of the continent kissed by the sea, dynamic geological forces along the San Andreas Fault, and the diverse climates from wet winters to dry summers. | |
Situated on land purchased by David Hirsch in 1978, the vineyard has evolved into one of the oldest on the TRUE Sonoma Coast. Primarily focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, Hirsch Vineyards became highly sought after by prestigious wineries, leading David Hirsch to build a winery in 2002. This strategic decision aimed to deepen the understanding of each farming parcel, ensuring a natural balance and consistency in the wines. The commitment to site-specific terroir is further enhanced by the transition to biodynamic viticulture initiated by David in 2011, culminating in its completion in 2014. This holistic approach extends across the entire 72 acres, encompassing vineyards, gardens, and orchards.
Hirsch Vineyards proudly lies within the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, enclosed within the West Sonoma Coast AVA, officially recognized in 2012. This distinctive growing area is characterized by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, high rainfall, rugged terrain, and elevated coastal elevations. Beyond geographical boundaries, the West Sonoma Coast AVA, founded in 2010, seeks to preserve the region’s history, landscape, and culture, officially recognized in 2022.
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The photograph below was taken over the Hirsch Vineyard and demonstrates the varied topography. The ridge formations are a prime result of the San Andreas seismic fault that lies between Hirsch Vineyards and the Pacific Ocean with the fault influencing the climate as well. | |
mark@petitphilippe.com | www.petitphilippe.com
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