Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Red fruits on the nose with light oak, chocolates and vegetable notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, light oak, spices, vegetables, herbs, dark chocolates and black pepper.
Showing nice complexity and easy drinking. Good by itself or with food.
Will not get better from this point, though.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$45. — 6 months ago
Etude – Heirloom Pinot Noir 2012
Grace Benoist Ranch, Carneros AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
Estate-grown from the celebrated Grace Benoist Ranch, this Heirloom Pinot underscores Etude’s mastery of Carneros terroir. Over a decade since harvest, it has aged with remarkable poise, offering proof that Carneros Pinot can rival the greats for longevity. This one delivers the wow-factor in spades.
Aromas & Flavors
Dried cherry, black raspberry, and plum layered with rose petal, tea leaf, and subtle leather. Mature accents of forest floor and truffle bring savory depth to the fruit core.
Mouthfeel
Silky and seamless, with tannins fully resolved into finesse. Bright acidity carries the wine gracefully, while the finish lingers in layers of spice, earth, and fruit. Quite literally, the wine dances in the mouth.
Food Pairing
A natural match with duck confit, wild mushroom risotto, or aged Comté cheese. The wine’s silky texture and earthy notes intertwine beautifully with savory, umami-rich dishes.
The Verdict
A captivating Pinot Noir that reaffirms Etude’s finesse and Grace Benoist Ranch’s pedigree. This 2012 shows the sweet spot for Etude Heirloom around the 10–12 year mark, where fruit, earth, and structure harmonize in peak expression. Among Carneros’ top benchmarks for age-worthy Pinot. Cheers! — 23 days ago
Good Pinot but overall it fell a bit flat for me compared to other CSJ Pinots. Definitely preferred the Durell Pinot over this one. This one lacked the structure and body I was hoping for — 9 months ago
Juicy, spicy, high alcohol — 4 years ago
Cena casa augusto con peter z — 3 months ago
Dark and smooth, delicious. Father's day Sunday lunch in Leicester after visiting birdland! — 4 months ago
Bright ruby red color. Bountiful aromas of red berries and dried violets. Pallet is full of strawberry and raspberry fruit with hints of black tea, baking spices, earth and pepper spice. Just a bit of a “gamey” quality as well. Nice hint of oak on the clean finish. Fine tannins and bright acidity. Creamy texture. Rich and nicely rounded. Absolutely a “California-Style” Pinot Noir. Nice choice, Mark Smith. — 3 years ago
Heerlijk makkelijk wegdrinkende wijn #amsterdam #jumbosupermarkt — 4 years ago
Jim Stehli
Cherries and herb. Medium light feel. It’s very nice. Do again. — 11 days ago