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  • Etude North Canyon Pinot Noir
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2019 North Canyon Vineyard Pinot Noir

2019 North Canyon Vineyard Pinot Noir

Santa Maria Valley750ml 14.2

As Santa Barbara County’s northernmost AVA, Santa Maria Valley is renowned for its unique funnel created by two transverse mountain ranges running east by west. Pinot Noir excels in this well-kn...

As Santa Barbara County’s northernmost AVA, Santa Maria Valley is renowned for its unique funnel created by two transverse mountain ranges running east by west. Pinot Noir excels in this well-known transverse valley that, despite its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, is uniquely situated just north of Point Conception, right where the climate is warm and mild enough to ripen grapes to full maturity.

  • Alcohol 14%
$50.00
$50.00

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Specifications

  • Vintage: 2019
  • Region: Santa Barbara County
  • Appelation: Santa Maria Valley
  • ABV: 14.2
  • Varietal: Pinot Noir
  • pH: 3.57

Tasting Notes

The signature of North Canyon Pinot Noir is the fragrant primary red fruit tone and this vintage is no exception, showcasing its bright fruit character and lovely shimmering ruby red jeweled color. Notes of bright red cherry, red currant, red raspberry, and hibiscus come through, dancing alongside secondary notes of cherry kirsch, sour cherry compote and rooibos tea. A beautiful nod to the oak aging, there are hints of vanilla, cola nut, graham cracker, clove spice and pink peppercorns. Lithe and sinewy with a viscous, supple mouthfeel and soft tannin texture, all supported by vibrant acidity, contributing to a signature buoyancy this is a true characteristic of this mouthwatering wine. Full of balance, depth, and complexity, leading to a long plush satisfying finish.

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Expert reviews

94 POINTS

“A fine-tannined, toned and elegant pinot with strawberry, orange-peel and crushed-stone character. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a vivid finish. Drink or hold.” - James Suckling, December 6 2021

92 POINTS

“Lively, with wood spice and grilled savory notes a half step ahead of the core of crushed cherry and red currant fruit flavors. This is all laced up, with a mouthwatering black tea note that extends the finish nicely. Drink now through 2028.” - MaryAnn Worobiec, May 18, 2022

The Vineyard

GRACE BENOIST RANCH

Less than twenty miles from the Pacific Ocean, North Canyon Vineyard sits along the Santa Maria river bench in a secluded canyon that provides some protection from the region’s renowned maritime influences. Located a bit off the direct valley, temperatures are often a few degrees warmer and North Canyon is exposed to extended periods of sunshine that ensure Pinot Noir matures to a bright red fruit character. A variety of rootstocks and clones are planted in calcareous clay sandstone at North Canyon, which differs from the valley’s defining marine mixture of ancient seabed, clay loam and sand. Fruit from one select block, located on a bluff in the southern, cooler end of the canyon, was chosen for this Pinot Noir. In order to achieve the same high level of quality wines, the farming of North Canyon is uniquely hands-on, which ensures viticulture practices and farming measures are comparable with that of Etude’s Estate Vineyards.

Process

The 2019 vintage

  • Winter

    The 2019 harvest started one to two weeks later than previous years, mostly due to February rains, but because the vines were in their winter dormancy, it did not affect the 2019 crop.

  • Spring

    Spring continued to be wet with some rain during flowering, followed by cool temperatures that allowed the grapes to mature gradually.

  • Summer

    Most grapes ripened at lower sugars, thanks to the extended, cool growing season, and winemakers were pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity and superb balance of the 2019 fruit.

  • Harvest

    Wildfires in October did not impact this year’s harvest as the vast majority of the grapes were already brought in, resulting in a crop size pretty much on par with previous years.

Crafted Excellence

Winemaking

Crafted with the same minimal winemaking techniques as Etude’s celebrated Carneros Pinot Noirs, each regional wine purely reflects the unique essence and character of its regional vineyard and still maintains Etude’s hallmarks of aromatic intrigue, vibrancy of expression and depth in ageability.