Hamacher "H" Pinot noir 08
Hamacher "H" Pinot noir 08 - Eric Hamacher reduced the price of his "value" Pinot noir for the 2008 vintage, but the quality is much greater than the price. Silky and supple, the H 08 grows in intensity, dishing out black cherry and red berry flavors and white pepper accents. Sweet Pinot, sweeter price.
Previous Vintage Tasting Notes
2007 Vintage Tasting Notes
The Hamacher "H" Pinot noir 07 is a juicy, everyday Pinot noir that is fresh, spicy, and full of fruit.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 90 points: "The 2007 Pinot Noir H was blended from vineyards with an average age in the mid-20s. Very fragrant with lots of spice notes including cinnamon and clove as well as rose petal and raspberry, on the palate it reveals an elegant personality. Medium-bodied, the fruit has an attractive sweetness, the acidity is lively, and the wine is nicely balanced with no hard edges. This spicy, savory effort will evolve for another 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now."
From Beyondthebottle.com: "A clear ruby red in the glass, the Hamacher "H" 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) offered notes of strawberries, cherries, and raspberries fresh picked in the fields with hints of earth and soil.
This Oregon pinot noir delivered fresh fruit flavors with good acidity and a lasting cherry finish.
It paired well with Mesquite grilled organic whole chicken, fresh Washington asparagus, and a Caprese salad. At $25, this wine offers a decent quality-price ratio, which would compel me to buy another bottle or two for later in the year.
Previous Vintage Tasting Notes
2006 Vintage Tasting Notes
The '06 H represents what can be such a great deal about second labels; namely that you can get fantastic values when the winery takes blending seriously! The very trait that precluded this wine from going "up" into the Hamacher label, it's very rich/sweet mid palate, is what is so enjoyable for drinking right now as H.
The '06 vintage had some higher alcohols and showed quite a bit of barrel sugars that combined to give a plush weight to this wine. That richness detracted from the structure that is required of the 1st label so many new barrels didn't make the cut. This actually made for a higher percentage of new wood being "declassified" to H. It is truly rare to find a Pinot with such weight at this price point. Imagine, the same vineyards, barrels and time in oak then snatched away and declassified so close to the end.
The H Pinot is only a means to an end; it exists only to make the Hamacher Pinot better. Always good. Sometimes great.... this one is great! - the winery
MORE INFORMATION
A blend of Pinot noir from several vintages, mostly sold just at the tasting room, we thank Hamacher for allowing us to spread the good value a little further with our offering of this delighful Pinot at a great price.
