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2017 Etude Fiddlestix Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Tasting Notes
Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir always shows a sense of elegance balanced with vibrant energy. This vintage makes a statement, quite bold in assertive flavors of black cherry and plum, wild raspberries and aromas of boysenberry. White pepper and oak spice are evident, accented by floral hints of violets, roses and lavender. Mid-weight and medium bodied, the wine is well integrated and balanced. As is common with Fiddlestix, a sense of minerality from the calcareous vineyard soils lingers in the finish, with fine grained tannins completing the picture. Distinctive and lovely, another memorable wine from this exceptional vineyard.
Technical Information
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Appellation | Santa Rita Hills |
| Blend | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Oak Treatment | 100% French oak barrels for 12 months, 25% new |
| Alcohol % | 14.1% |
| Enclosure Type | Cork |
| Case Production | 2576 cases |
| Residual Sugars | 0.04 g/100ml |
| pH | 3.58 |
| Pick Date | 09/05/2017 |
| Release Date | 09/01/2019 |
Scores & Accolades
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93
Wine Enthusiast
"A richer style, this bottling begins with black cherry, clove, star anise and opulent strawberry aromas on the nose. There's a chalky grip of sandy tannins on the young palate, which is ripe, with cherry sauce and white-pepper flavors yet cut by ample acidity." - Matt Kettmann, December 2019
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92
Wine Advocate
“Aged in 25% new French oak for 12 months, the medium ruby-purple colored 2016 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard sings of red and purple flowers—violets, roses and lavender—over a core of kirsch, fresh raspberries and tilled soil. Medium-bodied with great vibrancy and a soft, fine-grained texture, it finishes long and perfumed.” - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, October 2018
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93
JamesSuckling.com
"I like the blue-fruit, cream, chocolate and citrus-fruit character to this. It’s medium-to full-bodied. Creamy tannins and a delicious finish. This is always very satisfying. Drink or hold.” - James Suckling
Winemaking
Winemaking
Crafted with the same minimal winemaking techniques no matter the growing region, Etude Pinot Noir purely reflects the unique essence and character of the vineyard, maintaining Etude’s signature hallmarks of aromatic intrigue, vibrancy of expression and depth in ageability.
Jon Priest - Winemaker
For more than a decade Jon has fashioned Etude wines with a simple creed. Inspired winegrowing diminishes the need for a winemaker to intervene in the cellar. Whether sourcing from the estate Grace Benoist Ranch in Sonoma's Los Carneros, or vineyards like Fiddlestix and North Canyon in famed growing regions of California's Central Coast, his focus is on coaxing the very best from the vineyard. It shows in every glass of Etude.
Vintage
Vintage
For many on the Central Coast, the 2017 vintage was challenging, but for Etude, the major weather impacts that arrived in September were post-harvest, since all fruit was harvested between August 30 and September 5. Just a bit later, in mid-September, the region saw hail, lightning and wind that got growers attention. Record-setting heat, with warm days and nights, impacted fruit. But Etude was spared. In springtime, during bloom, some cooler temperatures and a bit of wind created shatter, with fewer clusters on the vine. But less is more, since flavors were concentrated.
Vineyard
Santa Rita Hills AVA
Vineyard
The vineyard lies a few miles inland alongside the Santa Ynez River bench at the western end of the transverse-oriented Santa Ynez Valley. Fiddlestix receives a consistent marine influence from Pacific currents, but sits low enough against the hills to achieve some protection from the area’s strong afternoon winds. Exposure to coastal breezes and fog ensures cooling influences throughout extended sunny days, which helps add depth and vibrancy to the fruit. Temperatures are rarely above the mid 70’s. In 35 small blocks on 96 acres, a variety of rootstocks and clones are planted in well-draining Gazos and Batella clay loam and calcareous marine shale providing complexity and diversity to the vineyard. Nearby are some of California’s most famed and historic Pinot Noir vineyards.
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