Etude

Estate Grown Grace Benoist Ranch Chardonnay

8.852 ratings
8.711 pro ratings
Carneros, North Coast, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Lyn Farmer

This wine feels out of character for an Etude chard. Nice citrus but the wine feels clunky - the acidity is too low for the wine to feel balanced.

This wine feels out of character for an Etude chard. Nice citrus but the wine feels clunky - the acidity is too low for the wine to feel balanced.

Sep 26th, 2018
Pierpaolo Petrassi MW

Master of Wine; Head of Beer, Wine & Spirits Waitrose

8.9

High quality Californian Chardonnay and quite 'warm Burgundian' in style. Classy fruit and evident expensive oak treatment. Delicious wine.

High quality Californian Chardonnay and quite 'warm Burgundian' in style. Classy fruit and evident expensive oak treatment. Delicious wine.

1 person found it helpfulJan 3rd, 2017
Shanti Christensen

Angels bathe in caramel dusted in lavender.

Angels bathe in caramel dusted in lavender.

1 person found it helpfulJan 31st, 2016
Pierpaolo Petrassi MW

Master of Wine; Head of Beer, Wine & Spirits Waitrose

8.7

Nice typicity its from this Carneros Chardonnay with evident but balanced oak and a sweet orchard fruit finish.

Nice typicity its from this Carneros Chardonnay with evident but balanced oak and a sweet orchard fruit finish.

Sep 9th, 2016
Ed Matthews

This is not my style of Chardonnay, but it is competently made. The nose is buttery with a light malolactic influence and lemon notes in the background. The palate exhibits the full malolactic and oak influence with sweet butterscotch and oaky spiciness. The acid levels are OK despite the malolactic. I'm looking for more acid, more neutral oak, and some minerality or complexity.

This is not my style of Chardonnay, but it is competently made. The nose is buttery with a light malolactic influence and lemon notes in the background. The palate exhibits the full malolactic and oak influence with sweet butterscotch and oaky spiciness. The acid levels are OK despite the malolactic. I'm looking for more acid, more neutral oak, and some minerality or complexity.

Sep 4th, 2015
Max Gottesfeld

Crisp pineapple nose lots of acidity. Oak gives weight. But the oak is very subtle. #chairmansselection PA $17.99

Crisp pineapple nose lots of acidity. Oak gives weight. But the oak is very subtle. #chairmansselection PA $17.99

Feb 26th, 2015
Paul Masson

An unusual style for Carneros, with some oak influence and no malo. Pretty solid

An unusual style for Carneros, with some oak influence and no malo. Pretty solid

Nov 15th, 2014
David Koenen

Fantastic showing. Hazelnut, ginger, pineapple and toast, brilliant balance. Impeccable midpalate followed by a persistent finish with brioche, orange blossom and whipped cream with lemony notes. At its peak.

Fantastic showing. Hazelnut, ginger, pineapple and toast, brilliant balance. Impeccable midpalate followed by a persistent finish with brioche, orange blossom and whipped cream with lemony notes. At its peak.

Jan 15th, 2022
Jeroen Koenen

Lovely freshness and lift.
Very nice!

Lovely freshness and lift.
Very nice!

Dec 14th, 2019
Tara Chen

Crisp bright melon, unripe green apple, grass, and metallic tang on the palate. Sweeter than other Etude Chards I've had, due to the location of the vineyard. Holds up well to big flavors, including spice. Decent body and good acidity.

Crisp bright melon, unripe green apple, grass, and metallic tang on the palate. Sweeter than other Etude Chards I've had, due to the location of the vineyard. Holds up well to big flavors, including spice. Decent body and good acidity.

Jan 29th, 2016