diff --git a/promql/engine.go b/promql/engine.go
index ba52501b4..bf55e6032 100644
--- a/promql/engine.go
+++ b/promql/engine.go
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ func (ng *Engine) populateSeries(ctx context.Context, querier storage.Querier, s
 	parser.Inspect(s.Expr, func(node parser.Node, path []parser.Node) error {
 		var set storage.SeriesSet
 		var wrn storage.Warnings
-		params := &storage.SelectParams{
+		hints := &storage.SelectHints{
 			Start: timestamp.FromTime(s.Start),
 			End:   timestamp.FromTime(s.End),
 			Step:  durationToInt64Millis(s.Interval),
@@ -667,29 +667,29 @@ func (ng *Engine) populateSeries(ctx context.Context, querier storage.Querier, s
 		// from end also.
 		subqOffset := ng.cumulativeSubqueryOffset(path)
 		offsetMilliseconds := durationMilliseconds(subqOffset)
-		params.Start = params.Start - offsetMilliseconds
+		hints.Start = hints.Start - offsetMilliseconds
 
 		switch n := node.(type) {
 		case *parser.VectorSelector:
 			if evalRange == 0 {
-				params.Start = params.Start - durationMilliseconds(ng.lookbackDelta)
+				hints.Start = hints.Start - durationMilliseconds(ng.lookbackDelta)
 			} else {
-				params.Range = durationMilliseconds(evalRange)
+				hints.Range = durationMilliseconds(evalRange)
 				// For all matrix queries we want to ensure that we have (end-start) + range selected
 				// this way we have `range` data before the start time
-				params.Start = params.Start - durationMilliseconds(evalRange)
+				hints.Start = hints.Start - durationMilliseconds(evalRange)
 				evalRange = 0
 			}
 
-			params.Func = extractFuncFromPath(path)
-			params.By, params.Grouping = extractGroupsFromPath(path)
+			hints.Func = extractFuncFromPath(path)
+			hints.By, hints.Grouping = extractGroupsFromPath(path)
 			if n.Offset > 0 {
 				offsetMilliseconds := durationMilliseconds(n.Offset)
-				params.Start = params.Start - offsetMilliseconds
-				params.End = params.End - offsetMilliseconds
+				hints.Start = hints.Start - offsetMilliseconds
+				hints.End = hints.End - offsetMilliseconds
 			}
 
-			set, wrn, err = querier.Select(params, n.LabelMatchers...)
+			set, wrn, err = querier.Select(false, hints, n.LabelMatchers...)
 			warnings = append(warnings, wrn...)
 			if err != nil {
 				level.Error(ng.logger).Log("msg", "error selecting series set", "err", err)
diff --git a/promql/engine_test.go b/promql/engine_test.go
index e75c27bca..96204b392 100644
--- a/promql/engine_test.go
+++ b/promql/engine_test.go
@@ -175,15 +175,12 @@ type errQuerier struct {
 	err error
 }
 
-func (q *errQuerier) Select(*storage.SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (q *errQuerier) Select(bool, *storage.SelectHints, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	return errSeriesSet{err: q.err}, nil, q.err
 }
-func (q *errQuerier) SelectSorted(*storage.SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	return errSeriesSet{err: q.err}, nil, q.err
-}
-func (*errQuerier) LabelValues(name string) ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) { return nil, nil, nil }
-func (*errQuerier) LabelNames() ([]string, storage.Warnings, error)             { return nil, nil, nil }
-func (*errQuerier) Close() error                                                { return nil }
+func (*errQuerier) LabelValues(string) ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) { return nil, nil, nil }
+func (*errQuerier) LabelNames() ([]string, storage.Warnings, error)        { return nil, nil, nil }
+func (*errQuerier) Close() error                                           { return nil }
 
 // errSeriesSet implements storage.SeriesSet which always returns error.
 type errSeriesSet struct {
@@ -224,9 +221,9 @@ func TestQueryError(t *testing.T) {
 	testutil.Equals(t, errStorage, res.Err)
 }
 
-// paramCheckerQuerier implements storage.Querier which checks the start and end times
-// in params.
-type paramCheckerQuerier struct {
+// hintCheckerQuerier implements storage.Querier which checks the start and end times
+// in hints.
+type hintCheckerQuerier struct {
 	start    int64
 	end      int64
 	grouping []string
@@ -237,10 +234,7 @@ type paramCheckerQuerier struct {
 	t *testing.T
 }
 
-func (q *paramCheckerQuerier) Select(sp *storage.SelectParams, m ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	return q.SelectSorted(sp, m...)
-}
-func (q *paramCheckerQuerier) SelectSorted(sp *storage.SelectParams, _ ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (q *hintCheckerQuerier) Select(_ bool, sp *storage.SelectHints, _ ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	testutil.Equals(q.t, q.start, sp.Start)
 	testutil.Equals(q.t, q.end, sp.End)
 	testutil.Equals(q.t, q.grouping, sp.Grouping)
@@ -250,11 +244,11 @@ func (q *paramCheckerQuerier) SelectSorted(sp *storage.SelectParams, _ ...*label
 
 	return errSeriesSet{err: nil}, nil, nil
 }
-func (*paramCheckerQuerier) LabelValues(name string) ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (*hintCheckerQuerier) LabelValues(string) ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	return nil, nil, nil
 }
-func (*paramCheckerQuerier) LabelNames() ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) { return nil, nil, nil }
-func (*paramCheckerQuerier) Close() error                                    { return nil }
+func (*hintCheckerQuerier) LabelNames() ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) { return nil, nil, nil }
+func (*hintCheckerQuerier) Close() error                                    { return nil }
 
 func TestParamsSetCorrectly(t *testing.T) {
 	opts := EngineOpts{
@@ -435,7 +429,7 @@ func TestParamsSetCorrectly(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, tc := range cases {
 		engine := NewEngine(opts)
 		queryable := storage.QueryableFunc(func(ctx context.Context, mint, maxt int64) (storage.Querier, error) {
-			return &paramCheckerQuerier{start: tc.paramStart * 1000, end: tc.paramEnd * 1000, grouping: tc.paramGrouping, by: tc.paramBy, selRange: tc.paramRange, function: tc.paramFunc, t: t}, nil
+			return &hintCheckerQuerier{start: tc.paramStart * 1000, end: tc.paramEnd * 1000, grouping: tc.paramGrouping, by: tc.paramBy, selRange: tc.paramRange, function: tc.paramFunc, t: t}, nil
 		})
 
 		var (
diff --git a/promql/test_test.go b/promql/test_test.go
index f03f6d203..7de4387f5 100644
--- a/promql/test_test.go
+++ b/promql/test_test.go
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ func TestLazyLoader_WithSamplesTill(t *testing.T) {
 					}
 
 					// Get the series for the matcher.
-					ss, _, err := querier.Select(nil, matchers...)
+					ss, _, err := querier.Select(false, nil, matchers...)
 					testutil.Ok(t, err)
 					testutil.Assert(t, ss.Next(), "")
 					storageSeries := ss.At()
diff --git a/rules/manager.go b/rules/manager.go
index 425fb01a8..383d38327 100644
--- a/rules/manager.go
+++ b/rules/manager.go
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ func (g *Group) RestoreForState(ts time.Time) {
 				matchers = append(matchers, mt)
 			}
 
-			sset, err, _ := q.Select(nil, matchers...)
+			sset, err, _ := q.Select(false, nil, matchers...)
 			if err != nil {
 				level.Error(g.logger).Log("msg", "Failed to restore 'for' state",
 					labels.AlertName, alertRule.Name(), "stage", "Select", "err", err)
diff --git a/rules/manager_test.go b/rules/manager_test.go
index ac74f9ea0..4d26885c8 100644
--- a/rules/manager_test.go
+++ b/rules/manager_test.go
@@ -512,8 +512,8 @@ func TestForStateRestore(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestStaleness(t *testing.T) {
-	storage := teststorage.New(t)
-	defer storage.Close()
+	st := teststorage.New(t)
+	defer st.Close()
 	engineOpts := promql.EngineOpts{
 		Logger:     nil,
 		Reg:        nil,
@@ -522,9 +522,9 @@ func TestStaleness(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	engine := promql.NewEngine(engineOpts)
 	opts := &ManagerOptions{
-		QueryFunc:  EngineQueryFunc(engine, storage),
-		Appendable: storage,
-		TSDB:       storage,
+		QueryFunc:  EngineQueryFunc(engine, st),
+		Appendable: st,
+		TSDB:       st,
 		Context:    context.Background(),
 		Logger:     log.NewNopLogger(),
 	}
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ func TestStaleness(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 
 	// A time series that has two samples and then goes stale.
-	app := storage.Appender()
+	app := st.Appender()
 	app.Add(labels.FromStrings(model.MetricNameLabel, "a"), 0, 1)
 	app.Add(labels.FromStrings(model.MetricNameLabel, "a"), 1000, 2)
 	app.Add(labels.FromStrings(model.MetricNameLabel, "a"), 2000, math.Float64frombits(value.StaleNaN))
@@ -556,14 +556,14 @@ func TestStaleness(t *testing.T) {
 	group.Eval(ctx, time.Unix(1, 0))
 	group.Eval(ctx, time.Unix(2, 0))
 
-	querier, err := storage.Querier(context.Background(), 0, 2000)
+	querier, err := st.Querier(context.Background(), 0, 2000)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	defer querier.Close()
 
 	matcher, err := labels.NewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, model.MetricNameLabel, "a_plus_one")
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-	set, _, err := querier.Select(nil, matcher)
+	set, _, err := querier.Select(false, nil, matcher)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 	samples, err := readSeriesSet(set)
@@ -658,8 +658,8 @@ func TestCopyState(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDeletedRuleMarkedStale(t *testing.T) {
-	storage := teststorage.New(t)
-	defer storage.Close()
+	st := teststorage.New(t)
+	defer st.Close()
 	oldGroup := &Group{
 		rules: []Rule{
 			NewRecordingRule("rule1", nil, labels.Labels{{Name: "l1", Value: "v1"}}),
@@ -672,21 +672,21 @@ func TestDeletedRuleMarkedStale(t *testing.T) {
 		rules:                []Rule{},
 		seriesInPreviousEval: []map[string]labels.Labels{},
 		opts: &ManagerOptions{
-			Appendable: storage,
+			Appendable: st,
 		},
 	}
 	newGroup.CopyState(oldGroup)
 
 	newGroup.Eval(context.Background(), time.Unix(0, 0))
 
-	querier, err := storage.Querier(context.Background(), 0, 2000)
+	querier, err := st.Querier(context.Background(), 0, 2000)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	defer querier.Close()
 
 	matcher, err := labels.NewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "l1", "v1")
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-	set, _, err := querier.Select(nil, matcher)
+	set, _, err := querier.Select(false, nil, matcher)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 	samples, err := readSeriesSet(set)
@@ -704,8 +704,8 @@ func TestUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	expected := map[string]labels.Labels{
 		"test": labels.FromStrings("name", "value"),
 	}
-	storage := teststorage.New(t)
-	defer storage.Close()
+	st := teststorage.New(t)
+	defer st.Close()
 	opts := promql.EngineOpts{
 		Logger:     nil,
 		Reg:        nil,
@@ -714,9 +714,9 @@ func TestUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	engine := promql.NewEngine(opts)
 	ruleManager := NewManager(&ManagerOptions{
-		Appendable: storage,
-		TSDB:       storage,
-		QueryFunc:  EngineQueryFunc(engine, storage),
+		Appendable: st,
+		TSDB:       st,
+		QueryFunc:  EngineQueryFunc(engine, st),
 		Context:    context.Background(),
 		Logger:     log.NewNopLogger(),
 	})
@@ -1096,16 +1096,16 @@ func TestMetricsStalenessOnManagerShutdown(t *testing.T) {
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, countStaleNaN(t, storage), "invalid count of staleness markers after stopping the engine")
 }
 
-func countStaleNaN(t *testing.T, storage storage.Storage) int {
+func countStaleNaN(t *testing.T, st storage.Storage) int {
 	var c int
-	querier, err := storage.Querier(context.Background(), 0, time.Now().Unix()*1000)
+	querier, err := st.Querier(context.Background(), 0, time.Now().Unix()*1000)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	defer querier.Close()
 
 	matcher, err := labels.NewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, model.MetricNameLabel, "test_2")
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-	set, _, err := querier.Select(nil, matcher)
+	set, _, err := querier.Select(false, nil, matcher)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 	samples, err := readSeriesSet(set)
diff --git a/scrape/scrape_test.go b/scrape/scrape_test.go
index da4f6261d..1d3864bb9 100644
--- a/scrape/scrape_test.go
+++ b/scrape/scrape_test.go
@@ -1574,7 +1574,7 @@ func TestScrapeLoopDiscardDuplicateLabels(t *testing.T) {
 
 	q, err := s.Querier(ctx, time.Time{}.UnixNano(), 0)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
-	series, _, err := q.Select(&storage.SelectParams{}, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "__name__", ".*"))
+	series, _, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "__name__", ".*"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, false, series.Next(), "series found in tsdb")
 
@@ -1584,7 +1584,7 @@ func TestScrapeLoopDiscardDuplicateLabels(t *testing.T) {
 
 	q, err = s.Querier(ctx, time.Time{}.UnixNano(), 0)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
-	series, _, err = q.Select(&storage.SelectParams{}, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "le", "500"))
+	series, _, err = q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "le", "500"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, true, series.Next(), "series not found in tsdb")
 	testutil.Equals(t, false, series.Next(), "more than one series found in tsdb")
@@ -1620,7 +1620,7 @@ func TestScrapeLoopDiscardUnnamedMetrics(t *testing.T) {
 
 	q, err := s.Querier(ctx, time.Time{}.UnixNano(), 0)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
-	series, _, err := q.Select(&storage.SelectParams{}, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "__name__", ".*"))
+	series, _, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "__name__", ".*"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, false, series.Next(), "series found in tsdb")
 }
diff --git a/storage/fanout.go b/storage/fanout.go
index f55f4c8dc..2366fb272 100644
--- a/storage/fanout.go
+++ b/storage/fanout.go
@@ -221,20 +221,16 @@ func NewMergeQuerier(primaryQuerier Querier, queriers []Querier) Querier {
 }
 
 // Select returns a set of series that matches the given label matchers.
-func (q *mergeQuerier) Select(params *SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error) {
-	if len(q.queriers) != 1 {
-		// We need to sort for NewMergeSeriesSet to work.
-		return q.SelectSorted(params, matchers...)
+func (q *mergeQuerier) Select(sortSeries bool, hints *SelectHints, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error) {
+	if len(q.queriers) == 1 {
+		return q.queriers[0].Select(sortSeries, hints, matchers...)
 	}
-	return q.queriers[0].Select(params, matchers...)
-}
 
-// SelectSorted returns a set of sorted series that matches the given label matchers.
-func (q *mergeQuerier) SelectSorted(params *SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error) {
-	seriesSets := make([]SeriesSet, 0, len(q.queriers))
-	var warnings Warnings
-
-	var priErr error = nil
+	var (
+		seriesSets = make([]SeriesSet, 0, len(q.queriers))
+		warnings   Warnings
+		priErr     error
+	)
 	type queryResult struct {
 		qr          Querier
 		set         SeriesSet
@@ -242,9 +238,11 @@ func (q *mergeQuerier) SelectSorted(params *SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Ma
 		selectError error
 	}
 	queryResultChan := make(chan *queryResult)
+
 	for _, querier := range q.queriers {
 		go func(qr Querier) {
-			set, wrn, err := qr.SelectSorted(params, matchers...)
+			// We need to sort for NewMergeSeriesSet to work.
+			set, wrn, err := qr.Select(true, hints, matchers...)
 			queryResultChan <- &queryResult{qr: qr, set: set, wrn: wrn, selectError: err}
 		}(querier)
 	}
diff --git a/storage/fanout/fanout_test.go b/storage/fanout/fanout_test.go
index 7afb04202..d62b6f5e1 100644
--- a/storage/fanout/fanout_test.go
+++ b/storage/fanout/fanout_test.go
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func TestSelectSorted(t *testing.T) {
 	matcher, err := labels.NewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, model.MetricNameLabel, "a")
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-	seriesSet, _, err := querier.SelectSorted(nil, matcher)
+	seriesSet, _, err := querier.Select(true, nil, matcher)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 	result := make(map[int64]float64)
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ func TestFanoutErrors(t *testing.T) {
 		defer querier.Close()
 
 		matcher := labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b")
-		ss, warnings, err := querier.SelectSorted(nil, matcher)
+		ss, warnings, err := querier.Select(true, nil, matcher)
 		testutil.Equals(t, tc.err, err)
 		testutil.Equals(t, tc.warnings, warnings)
 
@@ -169,11 +169,7 @@ func (errStorage) Close() error {
 
 type errQuerier struct{}
 
-func (errQuerier) Select(*storage.SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	return nil, nil, errSelect
-}
-
-func (errQuerier) SelectSorted(*storage.SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (errQuerier) Select(bool, *storage.SelectHints, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	return nil, nil, errSelect
 }
 
diff --git a/storage/interface.go b/storage/interface.go
index e85a159e4..4ac799ebb 100644
--- a/storage/interface.go
+++ b/storage/interface.go
@@ -60,10 +60,9 @@ type Queryable interface {
 // time range.
 type Querier interface {
 	// Select returns a set of series that matches the given label matchers.
-	Select(*SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error)
-
-	// SelectSorted returns a sorted set of series that matches the given label matchers.
-	SelectSorted(*SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error)
+	// Caller can specify if it requires returned series to be sorted. Prefer not requiring sorting for better performance.
+	// It allows passing hints that can help in optimising select, but it's up to implementation how this is used if used at all.
+	Select(sortSeries bool, hints *SelectHints, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error)
 
 	// LabelValues returns all potential values for a label name.
 	// It is not safe to use the strings beyond the lifefime of the querier.
@@ -76,8 +75,9 @@ type Querier interface {
 	Close() error
 }
 
-// SelectParams specifies parameters passed to data selections.
-type SelectParams struct {
+// SelectHints specifies hints passed for data selections.
+// This is used only as an option for implementation to use.
+type SelectHints struct {
 	Start int64 // Start time in milliseconds for this select.
 	End   int64 // End time in milliseconds for this select.
 
diff --git a/storage/noop.go b/storage/noop.go
index a8be634fd..4c0383233 100644
--- a/storage/noop.go
+++ b/storage/noop.go
@@ -24,11 +24,7 @@ func NoopQuerier() Querier {
 	return noopQuerier{}
 }
 
-func (noopQuerier) Select(*SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error) {
-	return NoopSeriesSet(), nil, nil
-}
-
-func (noopQuerier) SelectSorted(*SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error) {
+func (noopQuerier) Select(bool, *SelectHints, ...*labels.Matcher) (SeriesSet, Warnings, error) {
 	return NoopSeriesSet(), nil, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/storage/remote/codec.go b/storage/remote/codec.go
index 8f07eb0d1..3b6556a12 100644
--- a/storage/remote/codec.go
+++ b/storage/remote/codec.go
@@ -79,22 +79,22 @@ func EncodeReadResponse(resp *prompb.ReadResponse, w http.ResponseWriter) error
 }
 
 // ToQuery builds a Query proto.
-func ToQuery(from, to int64, matchers []*labels.Matcher, p *storage.SelectParams) (*prompb.Query, error) {
+func ToQuery(from, to int64, matchers []*labels.Matcher, hints *storage.SelectHints) (*prompb.Query, error) {
 	ms, err := toLabelMatchers(matchers)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	var rp *prompb.ReadHints
-	if p != nil {
+	if hints != nil {
 		rp = &prompb.ReadHints{
-			StepMs:   p.Step,
-			Func:     p.Func,
-			StartMs:  p.Start,
-			EndMs:    p.End,
-			Grouping: p.Grouping,
-			By:       p.By,
-			RangeMs:  p.Range,
+			StartMs:  hints.Start,
+			EndMs:    hints.End,
+			StepMs:   hints.Step,
+			Func:     hints.Func,
+			Grouping: hints.Grouping,
+			By:       hints.By,
+			RangeMs:  hints.Range,
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ func ToQueryResult(ss storage.SeriesSet, sampleLimit int) (*prompb.QueryResult,
 }
 
 // FromQueryResult unpacks and sorts a QueryResult proto.
-func FromQueryResult(res *prompb.QueryResult) storage.SeriesSet {
+func FromQueryResult(sortSeries bool, res *prompb.QueryResult) storage.SeriesSet {
 	series := make([]storage.Series, 0, len(res.Timeseries))
 	for _, ts := range res.Timeseries {
 		labels := labelProtosToLabels(ts.Labels)
@@ -158,7 +158,10 @@ func FromQueryResult(res *prompb.QueryResult) storage.SeriesSet {
 			samples: ts.Samples,
 		})
 	}
-	sort.Sort(byLabel(series))
+
+	if sortSeries {
+		sort.Sort(byLabel(series))
+	}
 	return &concreteSeriesSet{
 		series: series,
 	}
diff --git a/storage/remote/codec_test.go b/storage/remote/codec_test.go
index 9f7b2c218..d694b487c 100644
--- a/storage/remote/codec_test.go
+++ b/storage/remote/codec_test.go
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ func TestFromQueryResultWithDuplicates(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	series := FromQueryResult(&res)
+	series := FromQueryResult(false, &res)
 
 	errSeries, isErrSeriesSet := series.(errSeriesSet)
 
diff --git a/storage/remote/read.go b/storage/remote/read.go
index 3e5c9573c..b03bb8869 100644
--- a/storage/remote/read.go
+++ b/storage/remote/read.go
@@ -57,16 +57,9 @@ type querier struct {
 	client     *Client
 }
 
-// Select implements storage.Querier and uses the given matchers to read series
-// sets from the Client.
-func (q *querier) Select(p *storage.SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	return q.SelectSorted(p, matchers...)
-}
-
-// SelectSorted implements storage.Querier and uses the given matchers to read series
-// sets from the Client.
-func (q *querier) SelectSorted(p *storage.SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	query, err := ToQuery(q.mint, q.maxt, matchers, p)
+// Select implements storage.Querier and uses the given matchers to read series sets from the Client.
+func (q *querier) Select(sortSeries bool, hints *storage.SelectHints, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+	query, err := ToQuery(q.mint, q.maxt, matchers, hints)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
@@ -80,12 +73,11 @@ func (q *querier) SelectSorted(p *storage.SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Matc
 		return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("remote_read: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// FromQueryResult sorts.
-	return FromQueryResult(res), nil, nil
+	return FromQueryResult(sortSeries, res), nil, nil
 }
 
 // LabelValues implements storage.Querier and is a noop.
-func (q *querier) LabelValues(name string) ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (q *querier) LabelValues(string) ([]string, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	// TODO implement?
 	return nil, nil, nil
 }
@@ -124,9 +116,9 @@ type externalLabelsQuerier struct {
 // Select adds equality matchers for all external labels to the list of matchers
 // before calling the wrapped storage.Queryable. The added external labels are
 // removed from the returned series sets.
-func (q externalLabelsQuerier) Select(p *storage.SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (q externalLabelsQuerier) Select(sortSeries bool, hints *storage.SelectHints, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	m, added := q.addExternalLabels(matchers)
-	s, warnings, err := q.Querier.Select(p, m...)
+	s, warnings, err := q.Querier.Select(sortSeries, hints, m...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, warnings, err
 	}
@@ -177,7 +169,7 @@ type requiredMatchersQuerier struct {
 
 // Select returns a NoopSeriesSet if the given matchers don't match the label
 // set of the requiredMatchersQuerier. Otherwise it'll call the wrapped querier.
-func (q requiredMatchersQuerier) Select(p *storage.SelectParams, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (q requiredMatchersQuerier) Select(sortSeries bool, hints *storage.SelectHints, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	ms := q.requiredMatchers
 	for _, m := range matchers {
 		for i, r := range ms {
@@ -193,7 +185,7 @@ func (q requiredMatchersQuerier) Select(p *storage.SelectParams, matchers ...*la
 	if len(ms) > 0 {
 		return storage.NoopSeriesSet(), nil, nil
 	}
-	return q.Querier.Select(p, matchers...)
+	return q.Querier.Select(sortSeries, hints, matchers...)
 }
 
 // addExternalLabels adds matchers for each external label. External labels
diff --git a/storage/remote/read_test.go b/storage/remote/read_test.go
index 28dfa79fb..0706d7bff 100644
--- a/storage/remote/read_test.go
+++ b/storage/remote/read_test.go
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ func TestExternalLabelsQuerierSelect(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 	want := newSeriesSetFilter(mockSeriesSet{}, q.externalLabels)
-	have, _, err := q.Select(nil, matchers...)
+	have, _, err := q.Select(false, nil, matchers...)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Error(err)
 	}
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ func TestSeriesSetFilter(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	for i, tc := range tests {
-		filtered := newSeriesSetFilter(FromQueryResult(tc.in), tc.toRemove)
+		filtered := newSeriesSetFilter(FromQueryResult(true, tc.in), tc.toRemove)
 		have, err := ToQueryResult(filtered, 1e6)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatal(err)
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ type mockSeriesSet struct {
 	storage.SeriesSet
 }
 
-func (mockQuerier) Select(*storage.SelectParams, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (mockQuerier) Select(bool, *storage.SelectHints, ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	return mockSeriesSet{}, nil, nil
 }
 
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ func TestRequiredLabelsQuerierSelect(t *testing.T) {
 			requiredMatchers: test.requiredMatchers,
 		}
 
-		have, _, err := q.Select(nil, test.matchers...)
+		have, _, err := q.Select(false, nil, test.matchers...)
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Error(err)
 		}
diff --git a/tsdb/block_test.go b/tsdb/block_test.go
index d1ef6c524..f812d2970 100644
--- a/tsdb/block_test.go
+++ b/tsdb/block_test.go
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ func TestCorruptedChunk(t *testing.T) {
 			querier, err := NewBlockQuerier(b, 0, 1)
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 			defer func() { testutil.Ok(t, querier.Close()) }()
-			set, ws, err := querier.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
+			set, ws, err := querier.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 			testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
diff --git a/tsdb/cmd/tsdb/main.go b/tsdb/cmd/tsdb/main.go
index 458ed5351..3b2ebf296 100644
--- a/tsdb/cmd/tsdb/main.go
+++ b/tsdb/cmd/tsdb/main.go
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ func dumpSamples(db *tsdb.DBReadOnly, mint, maxt int64) (err error) {
 		err = merr.Err()
 	}()
 
-	ss, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "", ".*"))
+	ss, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "", ".*"))
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/tsdb/db_test.go b/tsdb/db_test.go
index e824b0c40..545473f82 100644
--- a/tsdb/db_test.go
+++ b/tsdb/db_test.go
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ func openTestDB(t testing.TB, opts *Options, rngs []int64) (db *DB, close func()
 
 // query runs a matcher query against the querier and fully expands its data.
 func query(t testing.TB, q storage.Querier, matchers ...*labels.Matcher) map[string][]tsdbutil.Sample {
-	ss, ws, err := q.Select(nil, matchers...)
+	ss, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, matchers...)
 	defer func() {
 		testutil.Ok(t, q.Close())
 	}()
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ Outer:
 		q, err := db.Querier(context.TODO(), 0, numSamples)
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-		res, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
+		res, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ func TestDB_Snapshot(t *testing.T) {
 	defer func() { testutil.Ok(t, querier.Close()) }()
 
 	// sum values
-	seriesSet, ws, err := querier.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+	seriesSet, ws, err := querier.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ func TestDB_Snapshot_ChunksOutsideOfCompactedRange(t *testing.T) {
 	defer func() { testutil.Ok(t, querier.Close()) }()
 
 	// Sum values.
-	seriesSet, ws, err := querier.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+	seriesSet, ws, err := querier.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@ Outer:
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		defer func() { testutil.Ok(t, q.Close()) }()
 
-		res, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
+		res, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -792,7 +792,7 @@ func TestDB_e2e(t *testing.T) {
 			q, err := db.Querier(context.TODO(), mint, maxt)
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-			ss, ws, err := q.Select(nil, qry.ms...)
+			ss, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, qry.ms...)
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 			testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ func TestTombstoneClean(t *testing.T) {
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		defer q.Close()
 
-		res, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
+		res, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -1289,7 +1289,7 @@ func TestNotMatcherSelectsLabelsUnsetSeries(t *testing.T) {
 	defer func() { testutil.Ok(t, q.Close()) }()
 
 	for _, c := range cases {
-		ss, ws, err := q.Select(nil, c.selector...)
+		ss, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, c.selector...)
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -2486,7 +2486,7 @@ func TestDBReadOnly_FlushWAL(t *testing.T) {
 	defer func() { testutil.Ok(t, querier.Close()) }()
 
 	// Sum the values.
-	seriesSet, ws, err := querier.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, defaultLabelName, "flush"))
+	seriesSet, ws, err := querier.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, defaultLabelName, "flush"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -2551,7 +2551,7 @@ func TestDBCannotSeePartialCommits(t *testing.T) {
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 			defer querier.Close()
 
-			ss, _, err := querier.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+			ss, _, err := querier.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 			_, seriesSet, err := expandSeriesSet(ss)
@@ -2591,13 +2591,13 @@ func TestDBQueryDoesntSeeAppendsAfterCreation(t *testing.T) {
 	defer querierAfterAddButBeforeCommit.Close()
 
 	// None of the queriers should return anything after the Add but before the commit.
-	ss, _, err := querierBeforeAdd.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+	ss, _, err := querierBeforeAdd.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	_, seriesSet, err := expandSeriesSet(ss)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, map[string][]sample{}, seriesSet)
 
-	ss, _, err = querierAfterAddButBeforeCommit.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+	ss, _, err = querierAfterAddButBeforeCommit.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	_, seriesSet, err = expandSeriesSet(ss)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
@@ -2608,14 +2608,14 @@ func TestDBQueryDoesntSeeAppendsAfterCreation(t *testing.T) {
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 	// Nothing returned for querier created before the Add.
-	ss, _, err = querierBeforeAdd.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+	ss, _, err = querierBeforeAdd.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	_, seriesSet, err = expandSeriesSet(ss)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, map[string][]sample{}, seriesSet)
 
 	// Series exists but has no samples for querier created after Add.
-	ss, _, err = querierAfterAddButBeforeCommit.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+	ss, _, err = querierAfterAddButBeforeCommit.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	_, seriesSet, err = expandSeriesSet(ss)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
@@ -2626,7 +2626,7 @@ func TestDBQueryDoesntSeeAppendsAfterCreation(t *testing.T) {
 	defer querierAfterCommit.Close()
 
 	// Samples are returned for querier created after Commit.
-	ss, _, err = querierAfterCommit.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+	ss, _, err = querierAfterCommit.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	_, seriesSet, err = expandSeriesSet(ss)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
diff --git a/tsdb/head_test.go b/tsdb/head_test.go
index f7aa9975c..57e5c3a92 100644
--- a/tsdb/head_test.go
+++ b/tsdb/head_test.go
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ func TestHeadDeleteSimple(t *testing.T) {
 				for _, h := range []*Head{head, reloadedHead} {
 					q, err := NewBlockQuerier(h, h.MinTime(), h.MaxTime())
 					testutil.Ok(t, err)
-					actSeriesSet, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, lblDefault.Name, lblDefault.Value))
+					actSeriesSet, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, lblDefault.Name, lblDefault.Value))
 					testutil.Ok(t, err)
 					testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -613,7 +613,7 @@ func TestDeleteUntilCurMax(t *testing.T) {
 	// Test the series returns no samples. The series is cleared only after compaction.
 	q, err := NewBlockQuerier(hb, 0, 100000)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
-	res, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
+	res, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 	testutil.Assert(t, res.Next(), "series is not present")
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ func TestDeleteUntilCurMax(t *testing.T) {
 	testutil.Ok(t, app.Commit())
 	q, err = NewBlockQuerier(hb, 0, 100000)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
-	res, ws, err = q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
+	res, ws, err = q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "b"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 	testutil.Assert(t, res.Next(), "series don't exist")
@@ -804,7 +804,7 @@ func TestDelete_e2e(t *testing.T) {
 			q, err := NewBlockQuerier(hb, 0, 100000)
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 			defer q.Close()
-			ss, ws, err := q.SelectSorted(nil, del.ms...)
+			ss, ws, err := q.Select(true, nil, del.ms...)
 			testutil.Ok(t, err)
 			testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 			// Build the mockSeriesSet.
@@ -1092,7 +1092,7 @@ func TestUncommittedSamplesNotLostOnTruncate(t *testing.T) {
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	defer q.Close()
 
-	ss, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "1"))
+	ss, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "1"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -1120,7 +1120,7 @@ func TestRemoveSeriesAfterRollbackAndTruncate(t *testing.T) {
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	defer q.Close()
 
-	ss, ws, err := q.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "1"))
+	ss, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "a", "1"))
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -1405,7 +1405,7 @@ func TestHeadSeriesWithTimeBoundaries(t *testing.T) {
 
 		seriesCount := 0
 		samplesCount := 0
-		ss, _, err := q.Select(nil, matcher)
+		ss, _, err := q.Select(false, nil, matcher)
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		for ss.Next() {
 			i := ss.At().Iterator()
@@ -1445,7 +1445,7 @@ func TestMemSeriesIsolation(t *testing.T) {
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		defer querier.Close()
 
-		ss, _, err := querier.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
+		ss, _, err := querier.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar"))
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 		_, seriesSet, err := expandSeriesSet(ss)
@@ -1630,7 +1630,7 @@ func testHeadSeriesChunkRace(t *testing.T) {
 		h.gc()
 		wg.Done()
 	}()
-	ss, _, err := q.Select(nil, matcher)
+	ss, _, err := q.Select(false, nil, matcher)
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 	testutil.Ok(t, ss.Err())
 	wg.Wait()
diff --git a/tsdb/querier.go b/tsdb/querier.go
index 83f7b6ad6..ea1100a52 100644
--- a/tsdb/querier.go
+++ b/tsdb/querier.go
@@ -85,23 +85,21 @@ func (q *querier) lvals(qs []storage.Querier, n string) ([]string, storage.Warni
 	return mergeStrings(s1, s2), ws, nil
 }
 
-func (q *querier) Select(p *storage.SelectParams, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	if len(q.blocks) != 1 {
-		return q.SelectSorted(p, ms...)
-	}
-	// Sorting Head series is slow, and unneeded when only the
-	// Head is being queried. Sorting blocks is a noop.
-	return q.blocks[0].Select(p, ms...)
-}
-
-func (q *querier) SelectSorted(p *storage.SelectParams, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (q *querier) Select(sortSeries bool, hints *storage.SelectHints, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	if len(q.blocks) == 0 {
 		return storage.EmptySeriesSet(), nil, nil
 	}
+	if len(q.blocks) == 1 {
+		// Sorting Head series is slow, and unneeded when only the
+		// Head is being queried.
+		return q.blocks[0].Select(sortSeries, hints, ms...)
+	}
+
 	ss := make([]storage.SeriesSet, len(q.blocks))
 	var ws storage.Warnings
 	for i, b := range q.blocks {
-		s, w, err := b.SelectSorted(p, ms...)
+		// We have to sort if blocks > 1 as MergedSeriesSet requires it.
+		s, w, err := b.Select(true, hints, ms...)
 		ws = append(ws, w...)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, ws, err
@@ -127,30 +125,26 @@ type verticalQuerier struct {
 	querier
 }
 
-func (q *verticalQuerier) Select(p *storage.SelectParams, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	return q.sel(p, q.blocks, ms)
+func (q *verticalQuerier) Select(sortSeries bool, hints *storage.SelectHints, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+	return q.sel(sortSeries, hints, q.blocks, ms)
 }
 
-func (q *verticalQuerier) SelectSorted(p *storage.SelectParams, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	return q.sel(p, q.blocks, ms)
-}
-
-func (q *verticalQuerier) sel(p *storage.SelectParams, qs []storage.Querier, ms []*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+func (q *verticalQuerier) sel(sortSeries bool, hints *storage.SelectHints, qs []storage.Querier, ms []*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
 	if len(qs) == 0 {
 		return storage.EmptySeriesSet(), nil, nil
 	}
 	if len(qs) == 1 {
-		return qs[0].SelectSorted(p, ms...)
+		return qs[0].Select(sortSeries, hints, ms...)
 	}
 	l := len(qs) / 2
 
 	var ws storage.Warnings
-	a, w, err := q.sel(p, qs[:l], ms)
+	a, w, err := q.sel(sortSeries, hints, qs[:l], ms)
 	ws = append(ws, w...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, ws, err
 	}
-	b, w, err := q.sel(p, qs[l:], ms)
+	b, w, err := q.sel(sortSeries, hints, qs[l:], ms)
 	ws = append(ws, w...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, ws, err
@@ -195,42 +189,24 @@ type blockQuerier struct {
 	mint, maxt int64
 }
 
-func (q *blockQuerier) Select(p *storage.SelectParams, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	base, err := LookupChunkSeries(q.index, q.tombstones, ms...)
+func (q *blockQuerier) Select(sortSeries bool, hints *storage.SelectHints, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
+	var base storage.ChunkSeriesSet
+	var err error
+
+	if sortSeries {
+		base, err = LookupChunkSeriesSorted(q.index, q.tombstones, ms...)
+	} else {
+		base, err = LookupChunkSeries(q.index, q.tombstones, ms...)
+	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	mint := q.mint
 	maxt := q.maxt
-	if p != nil {
-		mint = p.Start
-		maxt = p.End
-	}
-	return &blockSeriesSet{
-		set: &populatedChunkSeries{
-			set:    base,
-			chunks: q.chunks,
-			mint:   mint,
-			maxt:   maxt,
-		},
-
-		mint: mint,
-		maxt: maxt,
-	}, nil, nil
-}
-
-func (q *blockQuerier) SelectSorted(p *storage.SelectParams, ms ...*labels.Matcher) (storage.SeriesSet, storage.Warnings, error) {
-	base, err := LookupChunkSeriesSorted(q.index, q.tombstones, ms...)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
-	}
-
-	mint := q.mint
-	maxt := q.maxt
-	if p != nil {
-		mint = p.Start
-		maxt = p.End
+	if hints != nil {
+		mint = hints.Start
+		maxt = hints.End
 	}
 	return &blockSeriesSet{
 		set: &populatedChunkSeries{
diff --git a/tsdb/querier_bench_test.go b/tsdb/querier_bench_test.go
index 765435203..95502be95 100644
--- a/tsdb/querier_bench_test.go
+++ b/tsdb/querier_bench_test.go
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/prometheus/prometheus/pkg/labels"
-	"github.com/prometheus/prometheus/storage"
 	"github.com/prometheus/prometheus/util/testutil"
 )
 
@@ -147,12 +146,7 @@ func BenchmarkQuerierSelect(b *testing.B) {
 
 				b.ResetTimer()
 				for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-					var ss storage.SeriesSet
-					if sorted {
-						ss, _, err = q.SelectSorted(nil, matcher)
-					} else {
-						ss, _, err = q.Select(nil, matcher)
-					}
+					ss, _, err := q.Select(sorted, nil, matcher)
 					testutil.Ok(b, err)
 					for ss.Next() {
 					}
diff --git a/tsdb/querier_test.go b/tsdb/querier_test.go
index 52e316051..9668a21fe 100644
--- a/tsdb/querier_test.go
+++ b/tsdb/querier_test.go
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ Outer:
 			maxt: c.maxt,
 		}
 
-		res, ws, err := querier.Select(nil, c.ms...)
+		res, ws, err := querier.Select(false, nil, c.ms...)
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ Outer:
 			maxt: c.maxt,
 		}
 
-		res, ws, err := querier.Select(nil, c.ms...)
+		res, ws, err := querier.Select(false, nil, c.ms...)
 		testutil.Ok(t, err)
 		testutil.Equals(t, 0, len(ws))
 
@@ -1710,7 +1710,7 @@ func BenchmarkQuerySeek(b *testing.B) {
 				b.ResetTimer()
 				b.ReportAllocs()
 
-				ss, ws, err := sq.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "__name__", ".*"))
+				ss, ws, err := sq.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "__name__", ".*"))
 				for ss.Next() {
 					it := ss.At().Iterator()
 					for t := mint; t <= maxt; t++ {
@@ -1848,7 +1848,7 @@ func BenchmarkSetMatcher(b *testing.B) {
 			b.ResetTimer()
 			b.ReportAllocs()
 			for n := 0; n < b.N; n++ {
-				_, ws, err := que.Select(nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "test", c.pattern))
+				_, ws, err := que.Select(false, nil, labels.MustNewMatcher(labels.MatchRegexp, "test", c.pattern))
 				testutil.Ok(b, err)
 				testutil.Equals(b, 0, len(ws))
 			}
@@ -2297,7 +2297,7 @@ func benchQuery(b *testing.B, expExpansions int, q storage.Querier, selectors la
 	b.ResetTimer()
 	b.ReportAllocs()
 	for i := 0; i < b.N; i++ {
-		ss, ws, err := q.Select(nil, selectors...)
+		ss, ws, err := q.Select(false, nil, selectors...)
 		testutil.Ok(b, err)
 		testutil.Equals(b, 0, len(ws))
 		var actualExpansions int
diff --git a/web/api/v1/api.go b/web/api/v1/api.go
index 5ea367fa2..204b2ff38 100644
--- a/web/api/v1/api.go
+++ b/web/api/v1/api.go
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ func (api *API) series(r *http.Request) apiFuncResult {
 	var sets []storage.SeriesSet
 	var warnings storage.Warnings
 	for _, mset := range matcherSets {
-		s, wrn, err := q.Select(nil, mset...) //TODO
+		s, wrn, err := q.Select(false, nil, mset...)
 		warnings = append(warnings, wrn...)
 		if err != nil {
 			return apiFuncResult{nil, &apiError{errorExec, err}, warnings, nil}
@@ -1161,10 +1161,9 @@ func (api *API) remoteRead(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			return
 		}
 		for i, query := range req.Queries {
-			err := api.remoteReadQuery(ctx, query, externalLabels, func(querier storage.Querier, selectParams *storage.SelectParams, filteredMatchers []*labels.Matcher) error {
-				// The streaming API provides sorted series.
-				// TODO(bwplotka): Handle warnings via query log.
-				set, _, err := querier.SelectSorted(selectParams, filteredMatchers...)
+			err := api.remoteReadQuery(ctx, query, externalLabels, func(querier storage.Querier, hints *storage.SelectHints, filteredMatchers []*labels.Matcher) error {
+				// The streaming API has to provide the series sorted.
+				set, _, err := querier.Select(true, hints, filteredMatchers...)
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
@@ -1195,8 +1194,8 @@ func (api *API) remoteRead(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			Results: make([]*prompb.QueryResult, len(req.Queries)),
 		}
 		for i, query := range req.Queries {
-			err := api.remoteReadQuery(ctx, query, externalLabels, func(querier storage.Querier, selectParams *storage.SelectParams, filteredMatchers []*labels.Matcher) error {
-				set, _, err := querier.Select(selectParams, filteredMatchers...)
+			err := api.remoteReadQuery(ctx, query, externalLabels, func(querier storage.Querier, hints *storage.SelectHints, filteredMatchers []*labels.Matcher) error {
+				set, _, err := querier.Select(false, hints, filteredMatchers...)
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
@@ -1254,7 +1253,7 @@ func filterExtLabelsFromMatchers(pbMatchers []*prompb.LabelMatcher, externalLabe
 	return filteredMatchers, nil
 }
 
-func (api *API) remoteReadQuery(ctx context.Context, query *prompb.Query, externalLabels map[string]string, seriesHandleFn func(querier storage.Querier, selectParams *storage.SelectParams, filteredMatchers []*labels.Matcher) error) error {
+func (api *API) remoteReadQuery(ctx context.Context, query *prompb.Query, externalLabels map[string]string, seriesHandleFn func(querier storage.Querier, hints *storage.SelectHints, filteredMatchers []*labels.Matcher) error) error {
 	filteredMatchers, err := filterExtLabelsFromMatchers(query.Matchers, externalLabels)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -1264,23 +1263,25 @@ func (api *API) remoteReadQuery(ctx context.Context, query *prompb.Query, extern
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
-	var selectParams *storage.SelectParams
-	if query.Hints != nil {
-		selectParams = &storage.SelectParams{
-			Start: query.Hints.StartMs,
-			End:   query.Hints.EndMs,
-			Step:  query.Hints.StepMs,
-			Func:  query.Hints.Func,
-		}
-	}
-
 	defer func() {
 		if err := querier.Close(); err != nil {
 			level.Warn(api.logger).Log("msg", "error on querier close", "err", err.Error())
 		}
 	}()
-	return seriesHandleFn(querier, selectParams, filteredMatchers)
+
+	var hints *storage.SelectHints
+	if query.Hints != nil {
+		hints = &storage.SelectHints{
+			Start:    query.Hints.StartMs,
+			End:      query.Hints.EndMs,
+			Step:     query.Hints.StepMs,
+			Func:     query.Hints.Func,
+			Grouping: query.Hints.Grouping,
+			Range:    query.Hints.RangeMs,
+			By:       query.Hints.By,
+		}
+	}
+	return seriesHandleFn(querier, hints, filteredMatchers)
 }
 
 func (api *API) deleteSeries(r *http.Request) apiFuncResult {
diff --git a/web/api/v1/api_test.go b/web/api/v1/api_test.go
index bfac2d4f1..2c8a7c6ac 100644
--- a/web/api/v1/api_test.go
+++ b/web/api/v1/api_test.go
@@ -488,9 +488,9 @@ func setupRemote(s storage.Storage) *httptest.Server {
 				return
 			}
 
-			var selectParams *storage.SelectParams
+			var hints *storage.SelectHints
 			if query.Hints != nil {
-				selectParams = &storage.SelectParams{
+				hints = &storage.SelectHints{
 					Start: query.Hints.StartMs,
 					End:   query.Hints.EndMs,
 					Step:  query.Hints.StepMs,
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ func setupRemote(s storage.Storage) *httptest.Server {
 			}
 			defer querier.Close()
 
-			set, _, err := querier.Select(selectParams, matchers...)
+			set, _, err := querier.Select(false, hints, matchers...)
 			if err != nil {
 				http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
 				return
@@ -1615,7 +1615,7 @@ func TestSampledReadEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 	matcher2, err := labels.NewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "d", "e")
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-	query, err := remote.ToQuery(0, 1, []*labels.Matcher{matcher1, matcher2}, &storage.SelectParams{Step: 0, Func: "avg"})
+	query, err := remote.ToQuery(0, 1, []*labels.Matcher{matcher1, matcher2}, &storage.SelectHints{Step: 0, Func: "avg"})
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
 	req := &prompb.ReadRequest{Queries: []*prompb.Query{query}}
@@ -1714,7 +1714,7 @@ func TestStreamReadEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 	matcher3, err := labels.NewMatcher(labels.MatchEqual, "foo", "bar1")
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-	query1, err := remote.ToQuery(0, 14400001, []*labels.Matcher{matcher1, matcher2}, &storage.SelectParams{
+	query1, err := remote.ToQuery(0, 14400001, []*labels.Matcher{matcher1, matcher2}, &storage.SelectHints{
 		Step:  1,
 		Func:  "avg",
 		Start: 0,
@@ -1722,7 +1722,7 @@ func TestStreamReadEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	testutil.Ok(t, err)
 
-	query2, err := remote.ToQuery(0, 14400001, []*labels.Matcher{matcher1, matcher3}, &storage.SelectParams{
+	query2, err := remote.ToQuery(0, 14400001, []*labels.Matcher{matcher1, matcher3}, &storage.SelectHints{
 		Step:  1,
 		Func:  "avg",
 		Start: 0,
diff --git a/web/federate.go b/web/federate.go
index e358a3dab..93c9aece3 100644
--- a/web/federate.go
+++ b/web/federate.go
@@ -81,14 +81,11 @@ func (h *Handler) federation(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 
 	vec := make(promql.Vector, 0, 8000)
 
-	params := &storage.SelectParams{
-		Start: mint,
-		End:   maxt,
-	}
+	hints := &storage.SelectHints{Start: mint, End: maxt}
 
 	var sets []storage.SeriesSet
 	for _, mset := range matcherSets {
-		s, wrns, err := q.Select(params, mset...)
+		s, wrns, err := q.Select(false, hints, mset...)
 		if wrns != nil {
 			level.Debug(h.logger).Log("msg", "federation select returned warnings", "warnings", wrns)
 			federationWarnings.Add(float64(len(wrns)))