Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/391612
october 2014 / the tasting panel / 75 Hahn 2012 SLH Pinot Noir: More than a dozen clones were handpicked and sorted, undergoing a three-day cold soak in open-top fermenters. Aged 11 months in 100 percent French oak (35 percent new), this exclusively estate-sourced Pinot offers soft tannins, delicious plum and cherry aromas and flavor of allspice and earth. A luxurious mouthfeel echoes lingering complexi- ties seemingly indefinitely. Hahn 2012 SLH Chardonnay: A long, dry growing season with consistently moderate temperatures throughout harvest yielded Chardonnay grapes of layered complexity and aroma. Whole cluster–pressed and fermented entirely in small-oak barrels, then hand-stirred on the lees every three weeks for nine months. Aged in French oak barrels (30% new) up to 10 months, the wine is layered with silky notes of golden apple, mango and buttered toast. With accolades and awards increas- ing for Santa Lucia Highlands wines, Chairman Philip Hahn is excited about the future of the appellation. "Hahn was one of the first producers to achieve commercial success with wines from Santa Lucia Highlands. And today we are proud to offer affordable luxury for our customers, so they may enjoy a taste of the Santa Lucia Highlands." Hahn created a new expression of luxury in their acclaimed Lucienne line, a selection of limited production, single vineyard wines that adhere to the high- est standards of boutique production and minimal enological intervention. The name is a nod to Nicolaus Lucien Hahn, using the feminine version of his middle name to honor Santa Lucia and the AVA. The handpicked grapes from these individual special-designation blocks create a sense of place that cannot be matched. "Lucienne wines are the result of gentle guidance," says Hahn. "It's about creating an environ- ment to develop individual vineyard profiles that reflect the essence of their special terroir." From barrels resting deep in the Hahn barrelhouse, we sampled two hand-selected Lucienne Pinot Noirs: Luceinne 2012 Smith Vineyard Pinot Noir: South of the Hahn's Doctor's Vineyard and at a higher elevation, the Smith Vineyard is less affected by SLH's early morning fog. In contrast to the even slopes of Doctor's and Lone Oak, Smith Vineyard follows the contours of ridges and valleys in Santa Lucia Highlands. The wine shows fragrant strawberry and blackberry aromas with earthy cocoa undertones. Silky and richly textured, harmoni- ous red and black fruit flavors come together with earthy spice notes on this wine's long finish. Luceinne 2011 Doctor's Vineyard Pinot Noir: With more direct sunlight and robust fruit, the wine's greater den- sity and pronounced dark fruit flavors give it a character completely distinct from Lone Oak or Smith Vineyard Pinots. Framed by a velvety mouth feel and the mild grip of soft tannins, vanilla and clove spice glide over the wine's long finish. Preparing for yet another exciting harvest, Philip Hahn highly anticipates the future of the winery and its role in the appellation. "We think we're in the right place at the right time to help fuel the recognition of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir."