2018 Etude Pinot Noir Grace Benoist Ranch

Community Tasting Notes (34) Avg Score: 90.9 points

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  12/25/2023 - Sauvyfan Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Great nose, floral, red fruits, spice. Gains weight and broadens in the glass. Lively across the palate, with nice long red fruit and acidity on the finish. Great value.

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  10/21/2023 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points

  30 minute slow ox. Nose: Has the classic Etude slate minerality that I recall. After air time additional aromas of Ludens cherry cough drops show. Palate: Really balanced with a mix of dark fruits and cherries. Good acid and tannin levels contrast the somewhat rich profile and give tension. Finish is elegant. Classy wine that, while Caliesque, still has an almost Burgundian sensibility. Tony Soter may be gone (he is focused on his Oregon projects), but his Etude legacy lives on. I like this!

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  7/27/2023 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine: 94 Points

  My first "serious" PN from Carneros actually (more than $20.) Super fun to compare to the Walt Sta. Rita Hills PN I wrote about in my previous note - both CA, same ~$40 price, same vintage, and both made in a generally ripe, dark style. Although I enjoyed the Walt a lot, this Etude was the clear winner for me- not really any less richness, and better balance/focus.
  
  Not explosive on the nose but a persistent perfume with notably dark Pinot fruit at the fore. For me it evokes blueberry liqueur (mirto) and something like blackberry crumble- not as "black" as Cabernet fruit, but dark, never really dipping into red fruit. A tiny bit "grapey" at times. There's a bit of brightness in a tea-like note, sometimes like hibiscus tea, other times like earl grey. The oak is present but far in the background, just some gentle baking spice or milk chocolate supporting the fruit. There are some other dark shades, maybe violets, and something almost like new leather in there too- maybe the alcohol talking, but it never once felt hot or boozy on the nose despite the clearly rich fruit (the Walt bottle definitely had some heat to it.)
  
  A touch brighter on the palate but not in a jarring way- still lots of blueberry richness and a pop of raspberry acidity, again the rooibos tea thing and floral notes, etc, and a very subtle mineral nuance that really, really keeps the fruit and alcohol in check. Some sticky tannins in the finish- thankfully not too rough. Solid acidity, not a dynamo, but not flabby or weirdly tart, either. It's dark and dense, yet feels very fresh from beginning to end. It didn't show many intriguing earthy or savory components, but it didn't need them.
  
  I might be underrating this. It's funny how it feels like mostly big fruit and oak, but I got all kinds of little details when focusing on it. I guess it could be more expressive and have a bit more elegance or complexity. That said, for me, it stands out for the price.

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  7/4/2023 - MDRwinos wrote: 92 Points

  party favorite. Nicely evolved. Ready to drink

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  6/16/2023 - Skibank114 Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Excellent - Shared with friends over fresh bread, cheeses and dinner. We all felt the structure, finish and was right on point. Nicely integrated with subtle fruit, smooth texture, and medium to long finish.

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