Vinous Media 95+
"The 2019 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard is beautifully layered and also quite mysterious. Constantly changing in the glass, the Hirsch shows all of the pedigree this site is known for. More than anything else, the Hirsch balances intensity with lightness in a way that is totally beguiling. I especially admire the energy here. -- Antonio Galloni"

Wine Spectator 93
"Very suave, this is loaded with cooking spice accents to its plum tart, dark cherry and fig paste flavors, supported by rich acidity. The lithe finish features slate and forest floor accents, with fresh tannins. Drink now through 2026. 657 cases made. KM"

The Wine
Picked separately over 10 days, this wine is made up of two clones; Mt. Eden and Pommard. The fruit was harvested from three blocks in 4 distinct picks. The vines were planted between 1993-1996 and sit at elevations up to 1500 feet and exist on the gravelly slopes of the Fort-Ross Seaview AVA in the westernmost Sonoma Coast. The Hirsch Vineyard is the closest neighbor to Faillas Estate Vineyard. Fully de-stemmed and allowed an ambient soak, the grapes were fermented separately with their native yeasts seeing gentle punch downs and even gentler basket press. As always, Failla makes no additions. The wine aged gently on lees for 11 months, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The Wine
After cutting his winemaking teeth assisting a consultant in Frances Rhone Valley during the difficult 1992 and 1993 vintages, Ehren Jordan went on to make powerful Petite Sirahs and Zinfandels for Turley Wine Cellars. The lessons he learned in France about maximizing ripeness in challenging conditions now serve Jordan at the 85-acre property on the Sonoma Coast, about 2.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1998 Ehren planted another parcel contiguous to their first, and in 2002 planted it with five acres of rootstock before grafting six selections of long-coveted Pinot Noir scion material the following year. Ehrens commitment to the highest standards of viticultural practice, coupled with his education in France and throughout California, is expressed every bottle of Failla Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Farming Practice:Practicing Organic