2016 Etude Pinot Noir Grace Benoist Ranch

The 2016 Pinot Noir Grace Benoist Ranch has some enjoyable reductive, earthy notes as well as plenty of black raspberry and strawberry fruit, spice, and dried tea-like nuances. It's medium-bodied, supple, and elegant on the palate, with good balance. Brought up in 25% new French oak, drink it any time over the coming 4-6 years.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Grace Benoist Ranch Estate Grown is very pretty. Bright red cherry, raspberry, savory herbs and mint notes are nicely lifted. There is terrific freshness to the 2016. I would give the 2016 another year or two in bottle for the oak (25% new) to integrate. A slight vegetal note keeps the 2016 from being an even more complete wine than it is already.

Sourced from the estate vineyard Grace Benoist Ranch and aged in 25% new French oak for 12 months, the 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is medium ruby-purple colored with a very spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves and allspice over core of black cherries and black raspberries with wafts of potpourri and pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with a lovely plush texture and bags of black fruits, finishing long and spicy. 19,000 cases produced.