2020 Hirsch 'Block 8' Estate Pinot Noir

The Block 8 Estate Pinot Noir is made entirely from a single block, a section of our vineyard that David Hirsch has long considered his grand cru parcel.

Block 8 is the only location at Hirsch where we have the Boomer-Mendocino soil formation. Characterized by a reddish tint from high amounts of iron oxide, the rock and gravel content in the soil averages 40-70% throughout. This results in superb drainage, allowing the roots to run deep and pervasive.

Block 8 is divided into 5 sub-parcels, determined based on rock content, all planted in 1993. The cuttings came from our oldest vines (The Old Vineyard) and are a field blend of the heritage pinot noir clones of Pommard and Wädenswil.

This extraordinary vineyard produces distinctive wines with supple, elegant tannins, explosive fruit aromatics, balanced acidity and complex aromatics.

The 2020 vintage impresses with the concentrated, plummy red fruit that is a hallmark of Block 8. The tannins are seamlessly interwoven with the juicy fruit. With air, notes of thyme, graphite and earth emerge.