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2022 Grace Benoist Ranch Chardonnay

2022 Grace Benoist Ranch Chardonnay

Carneros750ml 13.6

Etude was founded on the philosophy that winemaking begins in the vineyard, long before the harvest, with superior grape growing leading to wines with authentic varietal expression and a telling...

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

$40.00
$40.00

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Specifications

  • Vintage: 2021
  • Region: Carneros
  • Appelation: Carneros
  • ABV: 13.6
  • Varietal: Chardonnay
  • pH: 3.37

Tasting Notes

From six special acres in the heart of the Grace Benoist Ranch, our estate Chardonnay is a beautiful example of everything Carneros has to offer. Lively, fresh, and vibrant, this Chardonnay is truly exemplary of elegance and grace, crafted intentionally to showcase the expressive fruit and terroir, so there is no malolactic fermentation, and a delicate touch of oak. Lifted floral notes of honeysuckle, Meyer lemon, and vanilla, waft from the fragrant bouquet, while flavors of zesty, fresh-cut apple, honeydew melon, Bartlett pair, and graham cracker pie crust, intermingle on the palate. Luscious and creamy in texture, with a stony minerality, and pleasing freshness, a signature from Grace Benoist Ranch, demonstrates a lovely, mouth-watering backbone of crisp acidity. The finish is clean and long, delighting the palate, and inviting sip after sip.

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Expert reviews

97 POINTS

“Lots of dried grape skin and subtle wood and beeswax aromas with lovely hints of cooked apple, yet it’s always clear and focused. Full and powerful, reminding me of the great white Burgundies of the 1980s and early 1990s. Superb. Made from heritage clones like Wente. Only 145 cases. Drinkable but better in three to four years.” – James Suckling, January 8, 2024

The Vineyard

Grace Benoist Ranch

An exemplary expression of Grace Benoist Ranch estate vineyard, this wine is a blend of the best 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. 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.

Process

The 2016 Vintage

  • Napa & Sonoma

    The 2016 vintage was challenging, with the impact of our continuing drought requiring a deft touch in the vineyard, although there was some winter rain that helped recharge much needed groundwater. Bud break was early in February, and the march toward harvest continued through the season, with fruit arriving about two weeks earlier than normal. Shatter resulted in some blocks with lower yields, but the warm, mild growing days led to fruit with abundant flavor, good acidity and balance.

  • Central Coast

    The extended drought was beginning to cause concern as the 2016 growing season began. However, a very warm spring and early summer with almost no rain allowed the fruit to ripen at a steady and deliberate pace. July and August brought cool nights and gentle warmth to the Sta. Rita Hills to allow the smaller-sized crop to mature perfectly, producing small berries in pristine condition. The drier-than normal conditions and the region’s abundant sunshine resulted in wines with excellent concentration, balance, color and intensity, resulting in Pinot Noir fruit showing exceptional depth and finesse.

  • Willamette Valley

    The trend toward early harvests continued, and harvest was rapid, completed in record time. Bud break was early by one to two weeks, and warm weather continued through the spring and summer.  Lower yields brought small berry sizes with intense aromatics and concentrated flavors.  Tannins are more fine-grained, but with fruit, acidity and tannins all in great balance, this could be one of the most memorable vintages in recent Oregon history.

Crafted Excellence

Winemaking

The fruit for our Carneros Estate Chardonnay was harvested at night and gently whole-cluster pressed before being transferred to neutral French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine was bottled after 8 months of maturation, with a periodic stirring of the yeast lees for the initial two months of aging to enhance aromatics and increase mid-palate texture. Our Chardonnay is crafted to showcase the unique terroir of Grace Benoist Ranch and did not go through malolactic fermentation in order to preserve the natural acidity and beauty of cool-climate Carneros Chardonnay.