2002 Etude Pinot Noir Heirloom

Good full red. Vibrant aromas of sappy red raspberry, minerals, spices, cola, forest floor and flowers; smells like grand cru Burgundy Bright, dense and deep; rich and sweet but elegant and light on its feet. Combines excellent lift with lower-toned earthy complexity. Rising finish features ripe, rich tannins and noteworthy sweetness and persistence.

(assembled but not yet bottled) Good full deep red color. Reticent nose hints at cherry, minerals, mocha, graphite and meat. Fat and broad, but not at all a sweet style of pinot. Shows solid acid spine and firm tannins but comes across as slightly less focused than the 2001 and ultimately a bit softer. But this is major, mouthfilling pinot.