ACCOLADES

95  JAMESSUCKLING.COM

This has a very complex nose with violets and a wealth of fragrant, woody spices and sous bois, as well as red and dark cherries. The palate has a very juicy feel with vertical dimension, creating levity and a vibrant feel. Succulent, lively and delicious pinot noir with a smooth, fresh, pastry-like texture at the finish.

WINE TECHNICALS

LIVE Certified
Harvest date: September 28, 2018
Grapes at harvest: Brix: 24, pH: 3.28, TA: 8.2 g/L
Finished wine:  Alcohol 13.5%, pH: 3.6, TA: 6.0 g/L
Barrel aged 9 months in French oak
45% new barrels
200 cases produced
Bottled unfined July 26, 2019

WINEMAKER NOTES

Since its first separate bottling in 1991, the Flat Block has always been the standard of grace and purity at Bethel Heights, two words I would not use to describe the 2018 vintage.  We were fortunate with warm weather and a manageable crop during harvest, with concentration essentially built into the vintage with small clusters and berries. The resulting 2018 Flat Block is darker pitched then previous vintages, with more structure and depth than any vintage I can recall stretching back to 2008.

FACT SHEET