Pinot Noir - 2024 Hillier Rouge Daniel Block

Hillier Rouge Daniel Block

• 100% Estate Grown Pinot Noir, vineyard planted by Richard Karlo in 2009
• Hand-harvested fruit, 15kg totes 
• Crushed & destemmed + 25% whole cluster
• Spontaneous fermentation, alcoholic & malo
• 24 day cuvaison with thrice daily punch down
• Racked & pressed to neutral barrel 
• Unfiltered & unfined
• Lightly sulphured after malo & at bottling
• Bottled in January of 2026

Tasting notes by Rick VanSickle

Last House Vineyard Hillier Rouge Daniel Block Pinot Noir 2024 ($42, 93 points) — The grapes were sourced from a single block of Pinot Noir planted in 2009. It was whole cluster pressed with punch downs three times a day and aged in neutral French oak for 12 months. It was bottled unfiltered and unfined. What a gorgeous, site specific County Pinot Noir. So beautiful and profound with a chalky/crushed stone nose followed by purple flowers, brambly wild raspberries, forest berries, pomegranate, and elegant perfumed spices that’s deep and layered. It shows much less of the reductive notes on both the nose and palate that this tiny parcel in Hillier is prone to impart, and which I love in moderation. It lights up on the palate, showing a rich medley of ripe red berries, red currants, floral notes, wild mushrooms and subtle/elegant spice notes with such a satiny texture that all lead to a pristine, highly finessed finish that goes on forever. A thrilling example of County Pinot Noir. Can drink now or hold through 2029.