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2021 Estate Pinot Blanc

2021 Estate Pinot Blanc

Carneros750ml

Etude believes winemaking begins in the vineyard long before harvest, with superior grape growing leading to wines with authentic varietal expression and a telling reflection of where they are g...

Etude believes winemaking begins in the vineyard long before harvest, with superior grape growing leading to wines with authentic varietal expression and a telling reflection of where they are grown and produced.

  • Alcohol 14%
$40.00
$40.00

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Specifications

  • Vintage: 2021
  • Region: Carneros
  • Appelation: Carneros
  • Varietal: Pinot Blanc

Tasting Notes

Pale straw in color, this Pinot Blanc reflects a youthful vibrancy in its hue. Aromatic notes of green apple entice, while a subtle sweetness mingles with beeswax, quince and perfumed tree blossom. A concentrated palate showcases full flavors which attract, yet do not overwhelm. A vibrant acid lift leads to wet stone minerality, characteristic of the vineyard’s volcanic soil. Crisp, mouthwatering and pleasing, this Pinot Blanc may be enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoymen

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The Vineyard

Grace Benoist Ranch

This distinctive wine is crafted from Pinot Blanc grapes grown on our Estate Vineyards at Grace Benoist Ranch. Vines were planted in the year 2000, in well-draining cobbly loam soils. The cooler temperatures here provide for a long and even growing season, allowing fruit to fully ripen while still preserving natural acidity. Pinot Blanc tends to be the most vigorous and productive of all the Pinot varieties, but the limiting soils of Grace Benoist Ranch and our lower-yielding vine selections alongside deliberate crop thinning help to moderate cluster size and reduce yield, offering fruit with pure varietal expression. Grace Benoist Ranch is farmed using environmentally sound viticultural practices. The estate is sustainably farmed and certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. As part of our sustainability practices, sheep graze the vineyards in early spring, thinning the winter cover crops without the use of tractors.

Process

The 2021 vintage

  • The 2021 season was joyous and welcomed after the challenges of previous vintages, producing exceptionally high-quality fruit, some of the best in recent years. A tremendous year to taste the nuances and terroir distinction from around the valley.

  • Spring

    Rain early in the year led to almost no notable precipitation for the rest of the season, providing an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring, with budbreak early in April, followed by flowering and bloom in May.

  • Summer

    The summer saw early and even ripening throughout the valley, with veraison appearing in early July.Low yields (in part due to drought conditions), created fruit that is intensely flavored and smaller in berry size.

    One of the earliest starts, harvest began with white wine grapes coming in towards late July, while red wine grapes arrived about a month later, at the end of August.

  • Harvest

    With optimal ripening and taste, our winemakers took their time bringing grapes in, crafting wines of fantastic character, with amazing color extraction, aromatic intensity, tremendous balance, and structure, that are equally lush and fruity.

Crafted Excellence

Winemaking

The grapes for our Carneros Pinot Blanc were handpicked at night to preserve freshness and acidity. After gentle whole cluster pressing, the juice was transferred to neutral French oak barrels for fermentation; the wine was then aged sur lie (on the lees) for 10 months before a very gentle bottling. Our Pinot Blanc is crafted to showcase the unique terroir of Grace Benoist Ranch and did not go through malolactic fermentation.