Block 8 Estate Pinot Noir

Learn More About This Wine

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

Block 8 is the only location at Hirsch where there is the Boomer-Mendocino soil formation. Characterised 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 Wadenswil. 

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. 

The 2021 has an explosion of crushed strawberries, mingled with notes of rose petal, wet stone, and fresh cherries. Incredibly perfumed, the nose is regal, self-confident, and seductive. On the palate, the attack is silky, juicy, and generous. In classic Block 8 fashion, the tannins are present but seamlessly interwoven with the fruit, creating a harmonious mouthfeel. The finish is long and persistent.