Enjoyed with Ray’s piano group in Palo Alto after a wonderful recital! We enjoy Diora’s Pinot especially after decanting. Gentle Pinot very drinkable. Reasonably priced. — 2 months ago
Etude – Heirloom Pinot Noir 2012
Grace Benoist Ranch, Carneros AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
Estate-grown from the celebrated Grace Benoist Ranch, this Heirloom Pinot underscores Etude’s mastery of Carneros terroir. Over a decade since harvest, it has aged with remarkable poise, offering proof that Carneros Pinot can rival the greats for longevity. This one delivers the wow-factor in spades.
Aromas & Flavors
Dried cherry, black raspberry, and plum layered with rose petal, tea leaf, and subtle leather. Mature accents of forest floor and truffle bring savory depth to the fruit core.
Mouthfeel
Silky and seamless, with tannins fully resolved into finesse. Bright acidity carries the wine gracefully, while the finish lingers in layers of spice, earth, and fruit. Quite literally, the wine dances in the mouth.
Food Pairing
A natural match with duck confit, wild mushroom risotto, or aged Comté cheese. The wine’s silky texture and earthy notes intertwine beautifully with savory, umami-rich dishes.
The Verdict
A captivating Pinot Noir that reaffirms Etude’s finesse and Grace Benoist Ranch’s pedigree. This 2012 shows the sweet spot for Etude Heirloom around the 10–12 year mark, where fruit, earth, and structure harmonize in peak expression. Among Carneros’ top benchmarks for age-worthy Pinot. Cheers! — 4 months ago
Vivid clear, color and tight, concentrated fruit. Cherries and plums and juiciness. Very delicious, but also seem to fade very quickly and it’s flavor. Corked it for a day and a half and came back to something that was quite quickly on its way out and had become round and just grape juicy. Maybe that’s on me for leaving it.  — 7 days ago
93-94 range
Hard to believe this is a 17yr old WA state Syrah. 100% varietal, all from Les Collines vineyard. 13.9ABV
Sporting a deep purple color even at 17yrs, this feels like it is just now entering prime time. Big aromatics of peppered smoked meats, whole cluster/green herbs, red and blackberry fruits. Floral and balanced with fruit but spices/herbs in the background. Where Cayuse (and all Christophe Baron/Rocks district) wines trend to the savory/sanguine profile (which I enjoy), this balances the dark fruit, smoky/charcoal, savory/spice driven side of Syrah in its typical rustic/feral profile. Nice bridge between cool climate New World Syrah and ripe vintage Cornas. Finish is more vibrant and less requiring of food as the CB wines do.
Followed over three days and shockingly held up. If you have a bottle, open and enjoy but no immediate rush. — 3 months ago
Lewis Cellars "Cellar Selection" tasting with canapes. Just opened after 2 year revamp of the Robert Sinsky offices into a beautiful tasting room with views of the valley at Yountville crossing/Silverado trail. Luv Napa in December only one there all afternoon.
2021 Barcaglia Chardonnay
2021 Napa Valley reserve Chardonnay
2016 Reserve Napa Valley cab
2017 Reserve Napa Valley cab
2021Cuvee L Napa valley — a month ago

Cherries and herb. Medium light feel. It’s very nice. Do again. — 4 months ago
Tom Elliot
Founder Northwest Wines
This is the fullest bodied and ripest 2007 Willamette PN I’ve had. 14.5% stated alcohol. Just a bit over the top but still enjoyable. — 5 days ago