Winemaker Notes
Jeweled in a crystal-clear ruby hue, this sultry wine opens to a nose of soft rose petals and earthy aromas. Pepper and nutmeg draw you in and as the wine passes your lips you are surprised by the elegant and rich mouthfeel. At first taste, this juicy wine gives uncut wild berry and strawberry flavors with hints of melted caramel. Viscous flavors of black cherry combined with slight citrus notes give this wine a unique twist. Soft, velvet-coated tannins taper off with a long finish, making this a perfect pairing with virtually any dish.
Try with vinaigrette-glazed grilled Ahi with spinach and mixed green salad in a raspberry vinaigrette with berries, red onions, avocado and goat cheese.
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
When we first tasted this wine, we were surprised and almost mistrusting of its richness and sheer fruity depth, but a second bottle confirmed our initial impressions that Hahn has achieved something special. While showing all of the ripeness and rich, black cherry fruit that we have come to expect of Pinots from this appellation, it is impeccably balanced and shows a wholly unexpected measure of real finesse. It lengthy fruit refuses to quit, and it is without peer when it comes to out-and-out value.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.