MAGNUM - 2018 Hirsch 'Block 8' Estate Pinot Noir

The 2018 Hirsch 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.

2018 was a vintage notable for its cool weather and sunny skies – our favorite kind of summer. A long, slow maturation resulted in wines of great concentration, incredible acidity, dark fruit, and early complexity.

The 2018 Block 8 represents the marriage of a great terroir with a great vintage. The year’s perfect weather produced effortless wines, with a natural grace and elegant power. The Block 8 has the intense fruit and seamless tannins that are characteristic of this vineyard, with the added concentration and balance of the 2018 vintage.