Medium ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Old Shop Block comes from the Hellenthal vineyard, contiguous to the Hirsch property. The "Old Shop Block" contains the oldest self-rooted Pinot Noir vines on the Sonoma Coast. The nose is like a flower unfurling, beginning with floral perfume, segueing to tea leaves and nori and again to rhubarb and blackberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is still tightly wound at this early stage but features loads of crunchy, spicy fruits with a gently chalky frame and long, layered and fresh finish.

The 2018 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Vineyard Old Shop Block is powerful and soaring in feel. It is another wine that is going to require quite a bit of patience. Even with some bottle age, I expect the Hellenthal will always remain taut and energetic in feel, but it also clearly has the fruit density to balance things out. Mint, sage, dried flowers and sweet red berry fruit emerge, but only with quite a bit of air. I very much like the weight and density here. The Hellenthal is a blend of three blocks off the property, vinified separately, and then assembled.