The 2011 Hahn Winery Pinot Noir is sourced from grapes grown in more than one California grape growing AVA. Hahn is a 32 year old family owned and operated winery, that put Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir on the map, if you find a bottle of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot, there is a very good chance Hahn Winery grew the grapes. This Pinot Noir is designated a California Pinot, but I would imagine at least a portion of the grapes in this wine came from Hahn vineyards. 1/3 of this Pinot was aged in new French oak barrels, with the rest aged in neutral oak barrels. The alcohol content is 14%.
The color is slightly cloudy ruby red with black highlights. The nose is plum, black cherry, licorice, spice drops, and faint herbs. There is a smooth creamy mouth feel, that gets slightly rough around the edges. It tastes of cherries in cream, pomegranate and cinnamon spice. The mid palate is slightly sweet strawberry and just a hint of herbs. Soft Tannins and balanced acidity,this Pinot would work wonderfully as a food wine. The finish is full and long.
The Hahn Winery California Pinot Noir is a very appealing wine, more creamy and juicy than some Pinot’s herbal, astringent flavors. It is a very accessible, food friendly, balanced and well-made Pinot. A cook-out or party, backyard with friends and neighbors wine, but still has a serious side kind of Pinot. It should sell in the $12 range and at that price this is an extremely useful wine.
