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2017 Etude Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine

2017 Etude Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine

2017 Etude Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine

Tasting Notes

Our inaugural 2017 Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine is a classically styled Brut Méthode Traditionnelle offering the truest expression of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from our Grace Benoist Ranch. On the palate there is depth and structure, with a supple richness to the mousse delivering elegant vibrancy throughout. Lifted floral aromatics and flavors of white peach, nectarine, Meyer lemon citrus and orange peel are supported by toasty brioche and vanilla crème notes. A delicate pale golden straw color with flecked hints of bronze, and a fine, persistent bead allow the bubbles to dance lightly on the palate, finishing with a creamy, lush palate and lengthy crisp mouthwatering finish. Perfect as an aperitif on its own or accompany alongside a variety of cuisines and special occasions.

Technical Information

Varietal Pinot Noir
Vintage 2017
Appellation Grace Benoist Ranch
Blend 87% Pinot Noir & 13% Chardonnay
Oak Treatment 90% Stainless steel barrels, 10% neutral French oak barrels
Alcohol % 13%
pH 3.17

Winemaking

The 2017 vintage presented the perfect opportunity and conditions for our inaugural Blanc de Noirs. Our winemaker’s intention was to craft a sparkling wine to mimic a grower produced sparkling approach, accomplishing a classically styled Méthode Traditionnelle Blanc de Noirs. Handpicked fruit was harvested in the cool morning hours and sent directly to the winery where it was gently whole cluster pressed. When producing Blanc de Noirs wine, the winemaker removes the dark grape skins just after the fruit has been pressed. This way, the clear grape juice ferments separately and produces white sparkling wine. Pinot Noir from our Grace Benoist vineyard is the base wine of this cuvee, 10% of which went to barrel for fermentation, while chardonnay completes the rest of the blend, adding brightness, complexity, and fruit on the mid palate while also drawing out the finish. The wine spent over four years on lees prior to disgorging, then some time resting on cork before releasing in Fall of 2021.

Vintage

In the micro-climate of the Carneros, cool weather during spring flowering impacted vine yields, but with lower yields quality generally increases, and that is the tale of this vintage. Ample winter rains continued to recharge aquifers and rebuild storage lost during drought years. Near perfect summer weather with traditional diurnal temperature swings averaging 25-40 degrees defined the sunny days, cool nights mantra. Where August cooled a bit, allowing for extended hang time and allowing flavors to more fully develop, a high-pressure system stalled and held cooling fog off the coast line as September arrived, leading to the earliest harvest experienced at Grace Benoist, finishing just after Labor Day.

Vineyard

An exemplary expression of Grace Benoist Ranch estate vineyard, this cuvée is a blend of the best vineyard blocks on the Ranch, tucked away in the far northwest corner of the Carneros appellation. Unlike most Carneros vineyards, which are largely uplifted bay bottoms with soils composed of clay, the soils of Grace Benoist Ranch are variations of volcanic origin. Combining these well-drained, rocky upland soils with the extreme western location closer to San Pablo Bay, makes this cooler site an ideal place to grow Burgundian varieties, known for crafting the world’s best sparkling wines. Vineyard blocks are individually managed to conform to various soil types and the changing contours of the hillside topography. Individual vineyards within Grace Benoist Ranch average only eight acres in size, and spacing is dense to ensure low per vine yields of fully concentrated fruit. As stewards of the property, Etude remains steadfast in our commitment to adhere to sustainable agricultural practices that enable us to farm in concert with the surrounding environment. Wildlife corridors, raptor roosts and owl boxes are abundant throughout the Ranch.

Winemaker Jon Priest