Etude
Heirloom Grace Benoist Ranch Pinot Noir
Carneros, North Coast, California, USA
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!
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!
Has lost its rounded character. Raspberry core but more herbal now with mint to the middle. Definitely more jagged to the finish with nice acidity. Definitely at the top of the hill. Gonna probably be here for a couple of years. But the 2014 needs to sit a bit for sure.
Has lost its rounded character. Raspberry core but more herbal now with mint to the middle. Definitely more jagged to the finish with nice acidity. Definitely at the top of the hill. Gonna probably be here for a couple of years. But the 2014 needs to sit a bit for sure.
Mar 1st, 2019
2012 excellent. Well balance full body with black cherry and earthy tones
2012 excellent. Well balance full body with black cherry and earthy tones
Nov 6th, 2018
Meaty. Opulent. Doesn’t drink like traditional Pinot. Yummy
Meaty. Opulent. Doesn’t drink like traditional Pinot. Yummy
Nov 10th, 2017Blueberry & dark cherry. Very balanced. Great Pinot
Blueberry & dark cherry. Very balanced. Great Pinot
Feb 28th, 2017Etude is one of my favorites! #etude #pinotnoir #carneros
Etude is one of my favorites! #etude #pinotnoir #carneros
May 21st, 20162012 vintage. Soft yet bold. Raspberry and black cherry aromatics. Bold mid palate that needs some time to integrate. Lovely young pinot showing well.
2012 vintage. Soft yet bold. Raspberry and black cherry aromatics. Bold mid palate that needs some time to integrate. Lovely young pinot showing well.
Aug 12th, 2015Beautiful Pinot. Nose of ripe dark cherry and cassis, some funk. Mocha, spice and blackberry on the palate, with velvety mouthfeel and long finish.
Beautiful Pinot. Nose of ripe dark cherry and cassis, some funk. Mocha, spice and blackberry on the palate, with velvety mouthfeel and long finish.
Aug 2nd, 2015Burgundian style, dark cherry, earthy tones
Burgundian style, dark cherry, earthy tones
Feb 28th, 2015