Last House Hillier Rouge 'Daniel Block' Pinot Noir 2024

From Last House's own single block of Pinot Noir. This is everything you want from County Pinot. Chalky, crushed stone on the nose. Purple flowers. Brambly wild raspberries. Forest berries. Pomegranate. Beautiful spices. The palate is a rich medley of ripe red berries, red currants, flowers again, never enough, wild mushrooms, and a subtle kick of spice. Satin bedspread texture. 

The vineyard was planted in 2009 by Richard Karlo. The fruit was hand-harvested, crushed, destemmed, with 25% whole cluster thrown in because why not. Spontaneous fermentation. Twenty-four days on the skins with thrice daily punchdowns. That's a lot of work, but that's what it takes. Racked and pressed to neutral barrel. Unfiltered, unfined. Lightly sulphured at the end, just enough to keep it nice and clean.

What I really love about this wine is the gentle reduction coming from this very specific parcel, and the pristine, highly finessed finish that goes on forever.

Drink it now or hold through 2029. Either way, you win.