Ceritas Pinot Noir Hellenthal Vineyard Old Shop Block 2018

Dense and tightly wound, the 2018 Hellenthal Old Shop Block needs time, and plenty of it. Even with air, it gives up its fruit slowly: mint, dried sage, pressed flowers and a core of sweet red berry that stays compressed rather than opens freely. Fort Ross-Seaview austerity runs through the whole wine, keeping everything lean and firm, but the fruit density is there underneath, waiting. This is a three-block blend vinified separately and assembled, and you can sense the layering in the structure. Drink 2025–2033.