2019 Hellenthal Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Old Shop Block is another of the denser wines in this range. It stands out for a real center of intensity and drive. Dark red cherry, blood orange, mint, wild flowers, sage and rose petal give the 2019 layers of exotic beauty. The 2019 is deceptive in its light to mid-weight body, but has tremendous drive in a taut style similar to the Trout Gulch. Bracing mineral overtones peppered by a dose of whole cluster savoriness inform the finish.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
This is the oldest own-rooted Pinot Noir on the Sonoma Coast, planted by Gard Hellenthal in 1980 in partnership with David Hirsch. High up in the mountainous Fort-Ross Seaview appellation of the West Sonoma Coast on the northern flanks of the hills at 1,300 ft elevation. Coastal fog winds its way up the Gualala River bringing the influence of the Pacific right up to the vineyard. Earthy, convincing nose with real interest here. This tastes like a wine that expresses a place rather than a winemaking construct. Masses of fruit and fun with real texture. A little broader-beamed than most burgundies and none the worse for it. (JR)
About the producer
Created in 2005 by John Raytek, Ceritas is one of California’s most exciting producers. The project is focused on making single-site wines from Northern California’s coastal regions, largely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.