Mark Flesher

9.2

Muddy maroon with purple meniscus. Nose is cola, lavender, dried herb, wildflowers and berry tart. Entry is less cola and lavender and more of the herbs, wdflowers and raspberries that had ripened yesterday! Middle shows more of a rounded and full bodied character. Finishes with tart black cherry, wild raspberry, and sharper acidity. Think this one would improve with 3-5 years of bottle age. Killed this one a bit too early but curiosity killed! Nice little bottle from Tadeo Borchardt. — 6 days ago

Joe Davant

9.4

I’ve been holding off on drinking any of the 2012 vintage from Hirsch because the folks at the winery said this vintage that needed time in the bottle. @Bill Bender’s notes about the 2012 Hirsch Reserve encouraged me to open a bottle, and I’m glad I did. The wine was deep and broad with more earth, forest floor, mushroom, and loamy notes than I have come to expect from Hirsch wines. The structure has settled down and the more beguiling feminine aspects of the West Ridge are now showing themselves. This was fanatic with crispy roast duck at Gideon Ridge. On a side note, I’ll give a plug to that restaurant. IMHO, it’s the best restaurant in the high country, with great food, service and views. Just plan ahead because reservations are often 6-8 weeks out during the summer season. — 14 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Really good for the money. Cherry but mostly red currants and rose pedals well done. I will buy this. — 9 hours ago

Shay A

9.3

Fun Friday evening with great wines.

This surprised me at how good it was. Then again, I don’t get to enjoy older Aubert Pinot very often. Normally, Aubert pinots are powerhouses of flavor, but I wonder if the cool/wet vintage of ‘11 dialed things back a bit in a good way. Very perfumed and floral. Black cherries, rose petals, and sandalwood aromatics. Great acidity on the palate with red and black fruits (and even a hint of blueberries), baking spices and cedar. These may be best with some age on them. Thanks @Keith Fisher . — 7 days ago

with joe and Dan

Joe Davant

9.3

Brighter acidity than expected with pleasing notes of blood orange, plus a great nose of damp forest floor and mushrooms. After 30 minutes or so this developed nice depth and complexity that danced on the tongue. — 5 hours ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Classic Kistler. Bright red fruits of, cherries, strawberries, dry cranberries, lots of baking spices, cola, fair amount of woodiness with bright red florals, nice acidity and good polish — 8 hours ago

Shay A

9.2

Fun Friday evening with great wines.

Classic WS raspberries all over this wine. Bright and acidic. Very fresh and juicy raspberries, fleshy strawberries, stem and herbs. A touch thin on the palate, but time may have beefed it up a bit after I had left. Just a hint of black cherries here, but overall, the profile here is decidedly red fruit driven with a light body and high acidity. — 7 days ago

with Dan and joe

James Forsyth

9.2

A delicious Pinot Noir. English Hill of course drew my eye, being English. The horse on the label is noble and gallant. But what of the liquid? Blood orange, sage, white flowers, good salinity too.

Paired today with sous vide cooked duck breast and a reduced balsamic, red wine sauce. Terrific. — 4 days ago

Joe Davant

9.0

I think the WS winemaking style seems to render many of their single vineyard wines similar to one another and this one followed that pattern. Good, but not great, and lacking some of the characteristics I’ve come to enjoy from Hirsch vineyard wines. — 6 days ago

Laith A

9.3

Very elegant Pinot that leans more Burgundian than Californian but still has good purity and density. I’ve had Aston and Boar’s View pinots from TRB but I like this one the best! — a day ago