Failla, Hirsch Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Delicious and certainly in its drinking window, with fully matured fruits ((I detect some dark now) riding above a soft layer of earthiness. Richly flavored, though not profound, a pleasure to drink. Rated 1 on a scale of -1 to 3.

Slight hint of raspberry on the nose. Plum and black cherry out front. The wine has an elegant feel, with balanced tannins and acidity. Nice moderate finish with just a hint of forest. Very nice wine that was also very food friendly. Tasted blind I would have guessed Oregon rather than Sonoma. And I mean that as a positive. Well done.

Bright cherry and cola notes, red fruit driven, and recognizable as "New World" but not unpleasantly so; in fact, the flavor profile, with good acidity, and a long finish, is part of the charm. Aromatics very strong and satisfying, match the taste. I was advised by Failla that this is considered to be in the drinking window; I would concur. It seems unlikely that meaningful secondary or tertiary flavors will develop (i.e. as in terroir-driven earthiness), and one wants to …

Brick in color. Nose of cherry and some earthy aromas. Soft and integrated tannins gave it an elegant feel. Cherries were out front followed by mushrooms and forest floor all wrapped in silky texture. Acidity was in wonderful balance with the flavors which lingered for a long time. As I think back on this wine, I wonder if a better set of circumstances would have transformed this wine from very good to excellent. Just the fact that I am left …

A disappointment. On opening, this wine was cloudy and brown. The palate and nose were muted not much of anything.

Still has nice fruity nose, well balanced taste.

Has a lot of potential, but is dominated by the fruit .... Nice wine, but could be much better...

Really great pinot.

Ripe, red cherry. A little tart but not unpleasantly so. Excellent food wine; paired well with roast pork. Bobbie liked this wine. I did too, but not a favorable QPR.

Bright red color. Ripe cherry, raspberry, spice and earth aromas. Striking ripe cherry fills your mouth with a bit of earthiness on the back end medium finish

Very pale and slightly murky. Plenty of red berries, with a strong late kick of Kirsch. Generally light and elegant, Burgundian in style. This grew a bit harsher with air. Probably overpriced.

Hirsch Tasting (Hingham Wine Merchant) : LIght color and slightly less than clear. A funky almost urine like aroma that blew off. More tart up front fruit. Very bright. The palate is more pleasing than than the nose with a nice long finish.

Pinot on the River Tastings; 10/25/2008-10/26/2008 (Russian River Valley Winery) : Light medium red color; good tight red fruit nose; tart red fruit, bacon, with good acidity; medium finish 90+ pts.