Etude Wines Grace Benoist Ranch Estate Carneros Pinot Noir 2021 Red Wine

Etude Wines Grace Benoist Ranch Estate Carneros Pinot Noir 2021 

Los Carneros AVA, CA

750 ml

96 pts. James Suckling:

"This is really savory with bay leaves, lightly grilled meat and violets. So complex. Full-bodied with fine yet chewy tannins that are layered and beautiful. Some basalt and white pepper undertones. Lovely soft and powdery tannins. Medium body at the end. Thoughtful wine..."

92 pts. Wine Spectator:

"A stylish version, with mulberry and boysenberry puree notes glistening with hints of anise, sous-bois and red tea. The restrained toast on the finish lets the fruit play out nicely. Drink now through 2029..."

This is a knock-out Pinot Noir from the ultra-talented winemaker at Etude! This amazing Carneros Pinot Noir really captures the essence of the unique terrior of the region. Rich and bold, but not excessive, it's simply a joy to drink! – Wine Factor

FROM THE WINERY

V I N E Y A R D

Grace Benoist Ranch lies tucked away in the far northwest corner of the Carneros appellation in Sonoma. Unlike most of Carneros, which is largely uplifted clay bay bottoms, the soils here are volcanic in origin. The ranch’s well-drained, rocky upland soils and proximity to the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay make it an ideal place to grow Burgundian varieties. Within the ranch, there are four smaller vineyards (Laniger, Deer Camp, Temblor, and Heirloom) with five principal soil types and 20 Pinot Noir clones. Individual vineyards average only eight acres and spacing is dense to ensure low per-vine yields of fully concentrated fruit. Our vineyards, sustainably farmed to our exacting standards using environmentally sound practices, are certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Napa Green Winery, and Fish Friendly Farming.

V I N T A G E

The 2021 season produced exceptionally high-quality fruit. Rain early in the year led to almost no notable precipitation for the rest of the season, providing an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring, with bud break early in April, followed by flowering and bloom in May. The summer saw early and even ripening with veraison in early July. Low yields, in part due to dry conditions, created small, intensely flavored berries harvested beginning in September. With optimal ripening and taste, our winemakers took their time bringing grapes in, crafting wines of fantastic character, equally lush and fruity, with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, and tremendous balance and structure. A perfect year to taste the nuances and distinctive terroir from Grace Benoist Ranch.

W I N E M A K I N G

The wine underwent cold maceration in small-lot, open-top fermenters with extended time on the skins and a small number of whole clusters. Vineyard lots are vinified and aged individually. Final blending is subject to a rigorous selection process, where only the best casks are chosen to represent Grace Benoist Ranch. The wine is aged in French oak with a small percentage of new barrels.

T A S T I N G N O T E S

This dark ruby-red Pinot Noir is bright and juicy. Fragrant aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and cassis sit alongside lifted dusty rose and tobacco leaf, while crushed stone and minerality support the vibrant fruit. On the palate, fresh, mouthwatering acidity accompanies a core of fresh red berries and dried cherry, while perfumed cedar, white pepper spice, caramel, and toasty vanilla oak come through as a tribute to the oak aging. Secondary notes of delicate cherry blossom, wild violet, dried thyme, and bay laurel are also present. The medium body supports soft tannins with a firm grip. The wine finishes long, smooth, and round with nuanced hints of graphite, clove spice, and earthy minerality derived from the volcanic soils adding complexity and depth, a signature characteristic found in Grace Benoist Ranch Pinot Noirs.

HARVEST DATES:  September 2-16, 2021

ALC: 14.4%

PH: 3.66

TA : 5.96 g/L