2017 Ceritas Pinot Noir Hellenthal Vineyard Old Shop Block
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Vineyard Old Shop Block from Ceritas just lacked a little delineation on the nose, slightly overripe strawberry fruit mixed with a light smoky scent. The palate is armed with a pleasant sweetness that disguises the backbone underneath, powdery tannins with a finish that needs to dial up the tension. Not bad at all, though here it was outflanked by the preceding Occidental.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Pinot Noir Hellenthal Vineyard Old Shop Block, from Calera clones on what is believed to be oldest own-rooted vieyard on the far Sonoma Coast, stands out for its poise and vertical structure. It's all there. Fruit, structure, aromatic intensity and so much more. There is something quite regal about the Hellenthal. It is at once statuesque and also quite reserved, like a great Richebourg, and I say that feeling that analogies with Burgundy often a disservice to the inherent greatness of the best California wines, yet the analogy seems apt. The Hellenthal is not the most obvious wine in this range, but it may very well have the most latent potential. I loved it.
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.