93 POINTS
  • A bottle of Etude Temblor Vineyard Estate Grown Carneros Pinot Noir.
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2021 Temblor Pinot Noir

2021 Temblor Pinot Noir

Carneros750ml

The Temblor Vineyard Pinot Noir, the second vineyard-designated Pinot Noir from the Etude Estate Vineyards at Grace Benoist Ranch. These vineyards are tucked away in the far northwest corner of ...

The Temblor Vineyard Pinot Noir, the second vineyard-designated Pinot Noir from the Etude Estate Vineyards at Grace Benoist Ranch. These vineyards are tucked away in the far northwest corner of the Carneros appellation and feature well-drained, rocky upland soils. The site includes six different soil types and a wide variety of topographical features, and the vineyard parcels were customized to conform to the various soil types and the changing contours of the topography. The diverse sites on this beautiful property allow us to highlight certain portions of the vineyard by illustrating the variations of wine character attributable to different soil series and microclimates.

$90.00
$90.00

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Specifications

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

Tasting Notes

This striking, garnet Pinot Noir entices with aromatic layers of strawberry and red plum, while beautifully perfumed and lifted savory notes of bay leaf and wild thyme blend seamlessly, echoing the aromatic notes found within the Grace Benoist Ranch terroir. On the palate, crushed stone minerality and earth sit alongside polished tannins and a persistent and balanced acidity. A round expression of Grace Benoist Ranch, this wine’s concentrated mouthfeel leads to a persistent and developed finish.

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Expert reviews

93 POINTS

“A friendly red, with a polished edge to the mix of steeped mulberry and boysenberry fruit. Light notes of red tea, cinnamon and fruitcake fill in on the showy finish. Drink now through 2030.” — James Molesworth, March 4, 2024

The Vineyard

Temblor Vineyard

The Temblor Vineyard is located on a gradual slope that faces east within Grace Benoist Ranch Estate. The soils here are very well-drained, with tightly packed volcanic boulders and cobbles braided throughout, a result of the Rodgers Creek Fault line which is adjacent to the vineyard. Temblor is directly influenced by the cooling Petaluma Gap and San Pablo Bay, causing the fog to develop early and recede late in the day. The gradual slopes and moderate microclimate allow for even vine growth and fruit ripening.

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 this wine were harvested at night to preserve freshness and integrity. They were placed in open-top fermenters for 3-5 days of cold maceration followed by fermentation. A small percentage of the grapes were left as whole cluster to preserve the buoyancy of aromatics of the fruit and to add structure and refinement to the wine. Punch downs were performed during the early stages of fermentation with the extraction becoming gentler as the wine became dry. A quiet extended maceration followed, helping to enhance the richness and mouthfeel of the wine. The wine was lightly pressed into French oak barrels (25% new) where it rested for 14 months. The wine was bottled with no fining or filtration and allowed to rest for another eight months prior to release.