Medium ruby color; cherry, plum, raspberry, forest floor on the nose; black cherry, plum, blackcurrant, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, vanilla, earth on the palate.
Dry; deliciously smooth tannins and acidity (3.74 pH); luxurious mouthfeel. Ripe red fruits. Medium body. Mild oak influence. Aged seven months in French oak, 30% new. The grapes primarily come from the Arroyo Secco appellation, Santa Lucia Highlands (thus the SLH name) in Monterey County. Cool winds from Monterey Bay engender gradual ripening and vibrant flavors. 14.5% ABV
Hahn Family Wines is, as the label asserts, family-owned and operated. Founders Nicky and Gaby Hahn came to the Santa Lucia Highlands in the late 1970s. The Swiss-born couple soon recognized the region’s potential for quality wines. Nicky Hahn in 1988, fighting for Santa Lucia Highlands recognition: “We all produce world class fruit from well managed vineyards. We deserve therefore our own recognition with our own premium price and marketable exciting appellation that wine writers can discover, laud and praise.”
The couple purchased Smith & Hook Vineyards, planted exclusively in cabernet sauvignon, in 1979. They released their first Smith & Hook cab the following year. In 1990, the Hahns realized Santa Lucia was better suited for cooler climate grapes—pinot noir and chardonnay. In 1991, Santa Lucia Highlands was awarded AVA status after heavy lobbying by Nicky. The Hahns continued to obtain Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards throughout the 1990s. They also opened a visitor center, the the Hahn Carmel tasting room in 2017.
In 2007, the Hahns turned over management of their operation to Philip Hahn after he had an eight-year career on Wall Street. Philip is the chairman today. Founder Nicolaus “Nicky” Hahn passed away in 2018. Co-founder Gaby Hahn earned law degrees in both Germany and France before focusing on wine; she pursues art appreciation and her own artistic efforts today. Hahn daughter, Caroline, holds a PhD in veterinary medicine from the University of Edinburgh and serves as an ambassador for Hahn Family Wines. Intellectual heft is part of the Hahn Family wines tool kit.
Hahn Family Wines SLH Pinot Noir 2021 is tasty, easily approachable Santa Lucia Highlands pinot. Soft, forgiving, engaging. Deliciously approachable fruit easily invites a second glass (or more) of satisfying sipping. Works well with food. Pair with salmon and other fleshy fish; steamed mussels and other shellfish; pork; freshwater fish; rich enough to work with grilled, lighter beef; lamb. Cheese—fresh cheeses, mixed milk cheeses, soft goat cheeses; burrata, mozzarella, feta, mascarpone, rocchetta. $22-25
