The 2000 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard reveals a saturated ruby/purple color. It comes across as an earthy, meaty, rustic-styled Pinot with considerable generosity as well as some tough edges to resolve. Although it does not possess the finesse of the Kistler Vineyard, it offers plenty of character in a more uncivilized style, loads of briery, berry fruit, an underlying, earthy, forest floor character, and moderately high tannin in the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2012. Steve Kistler and his sidekick, Mark Bixler, feel that the key to making top quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 2000 (an extremely cold year with higher acids) was patience. Some years the flavors come early, and in other years they are much later. (Release date 3/03) Tel. (707) 823-5603; fax (707) 823-6709