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2019 Etude North Canyon Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

2019 Etude North Canyon Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

Etude

2019 Etude North Canyon Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

The signature of North Canyon Pinot Noir is the fragrant primary red fruit tone and this vintage is no exception, showcasing its bright fruit character and lovely shimmering ruby red jeweled color. Notes of bright red cherry, red currant, red raspberry, and hibiscus come through, dancing alongside secondary notes of cherry kirsch, sour cherry compote and rooibos tea. A beautiful nod to the oak aging, there are hints of vanilla, cola nut, graham cracker, clove spice and pink peppercorns. Lithe and sinewy with a viscous, supple mouthfeel and soft tannin texture, all supported by vibrant acidity, contributing to a signature buoyancy this is a true characteristic of this mouthwatering wine. Full of balance, depth, and complexity, leading to a long plush satisfying finish.

Technical Information

Varietal Pinot Noir
Vintage 2019
Appellation Santa Maria Valley
Blend 100% Pinot Noir
Oak Treatment 100% French oak barrels (25% new) for 10 months
Alcohol % 14.2%
Enclosure Type Cork
pH 3.57

Scores & Accolades

  • 94
    JamesSuckling.com - “A fine-tannined, toned and elegant pinot with strawberry, orange-peel and crushed-stone character. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity and a vivid finish. Drink or hold.” - James Suckling, December 6 2021
  • 92
    Wine Spectator - “Lively, with wood spice and grilled savory notes a half step ahead of the core of crushed cherry and red currant fruit flavors. This is all laced up, with a mouthwatering black tea note that extends the finish nicely. Drink now through 2028.” - MaryAnn Worobiec, May 18, 2022

Winemaking

Crafted with the same minimal winemaking techniques as Etude’s celebrated Carneros Pinot Noirs, each regional wine purely reflects the unique essence and character of its regional vineyard and still maintains Etude’s hallmarks of aromatic intrigue, vibrancy of expression and depth in ageability.

Vintage

In 2019, Santa Barbara County experienced a warm, dry summer with occasional peaks of warmer temperatures, causing veraison to start a bit earlier than typical for a normal growing season. Due to this earlier start, the grapes ripened earlier as well, providing the perfect ripeness with higher acidity levels and lower brix, ideal for crafting this beautiful Pinot Noir, which was harvested in mid-September. Our winemakers were extremely pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity, and superb balance of the 2019 fruit.

Vineyard

Less than twenty miles from the Pacific Ocean, North Canyon Vineyard sits along the Santa Maria river bench in a secluded canyon that provides some protection from the region’s renowned maritime influences. Located a bit off the direct valley, temperatures are often a few degrees warmer and North Canyon is exposed to extended periods of sunshine that ensure Pinot Noir matures to a bright red fruit character. A variety of rootstocks and clones are planted in calcareous clay sandstone at North Canyon, which differs from the valley’s defining marine mixture of ancient seabed, clay loam and sand. Fruit from one select block, located on a bluff in the southern, cooler end of the canyon, was chosen for this Pinot Noir. In order to achieve the same high level of quality wines, the farming of North Canyon is uniquely hands-on, which ensures viticulture practices and farming measures are comparable with that of Etude’s Estate Vineyards.

Winemaker Jon Priest