2022 Hirsch Pinot Noir Block 8

The 2022 Pinot Noir Block 8 is highly expressive out of the gates and is shaping up to be a fantastic wine with a very wide window for enjoyment. In the glass, it boasts minty lift, with notes of wild strawberries, crushed lavender, mossy earth, and fennel. It floats on the palate, with refreshing acidity, fine tannins, and a sanguine mineral note through the finish. Long on the palate, it continues to evolve as it opens and should drink its best over the coming 15-20 years. Block 8 has seven sections that are all fermented separately before finalizing the blend of this wine. The current releases from Jasmine Hirsch include a first look at her 2023s, as well as the release of the 2022 single vineyard wines, which she holds back an additional year. While 2022 falls broadly into the category of a warm vintage for Sonoma, she notes that despite this being categorized as a vintage noted for its heat, they did not experience any notable heat until September. It never got above 92 degrees at Hirsch in August, and they had picked 70% of the fruit by Labor Day. (The peak was 108 degrees over Labor Day weekend.) For her, the yields were the defining factor in the concentration and density of the 2022 vintage.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Block 8 is one of the most austere wines in this range. This is block with the highest acids on the ranch, and that very much comes through in the wine's driving, searing intensity. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, dried herbs and vibrant red-toned fruit open gradually with a bit of coaxing. The Block 8 is a Pinot for readers who can be patient.