Hahn are specialists in pinot noir and make unquestionably some of the best wines for the price from this extremely fragile grape that the majority of the world’s winemakers dream of perfecting.
Hahn was a pioneer in the Santa Lucia Highlands and already in the 1970s bought up large areas, long before the area was recognized as an AVA with associated priceless cult wines.
That is why you get superb value-for-money in Hahn’s wines; something that usually rhymes badly with both pinot noir and California.
Compared to Hahn’s ‘ordinary’ pinot noir, the grapes for this cuvée come from three top fields in Sta. Lucia Highlands, namely Doctor’s (65%), Smith (22%) and Lone Oak Vineyard (13%). The wine is stored after a long maceration in a mixture of new and old barriques.
Although this is on the cool end of California wine, SLH Pinot Noir does not taste of Burgundy. But, liberatingly enough, Burgundy is no longer used to the same extent as a measure of good pinot noir as before; California stands brilliantly on its own two feet and has its own identity and fan base.
SLH Estate Pinot Noir is a full-bodied pinot noir with natural concentration that does not tire the taste buds. A high quality of casks has given very fine-grained tannins and a silky aftertaste, where dark cherries dominate. This is delicious and mouth-watering as only pinot can be, and while it is tempting to drink this wine without food, it is well suited to a wide range of dishes with both poultry and not too brackish meat dishes. With age, when the forest floor aromas increase, try the wine with autumn mushrooms and mallard duck and a tasty jus – a perfect combination!
Served in good burgundy glasses at approx. 17°.
Hahn SLH Estate is ready to drink now but can also be aged 8-10 years from vintage.
