Etude Heirloom Pinot Noir 2006

This open and inviting Pinot Noir begins with aromas of rose petal, black tea, tart cherry and spice. The rich fruit flavors and vibrant acidity keep the wine well-lifted on the palate. The round, fine-grained tannins and wonderful oak integration carry through on the finish, which is persistent with hints of orange zest and minerality. This young wine will continue to evolve for several more years and promises exceptional complexity and age-worthiness.

All the fruit in this Pinot Noir is grown on the Etude Estate Vineyards in Carneros and comes from shy-bearing selections with a marked tendency to produce small, irregularly shaped bunches and very small berries. Growers typically hold such vines in low regard due to their inability to produce consistent crops. This tenuous economic viability threatens their existence.

Heirloom Pinot Noir is made in small lots using the most traditional techniques, with no fining or filtration. New French oak barrels are employed for aging each vintage. Approximately 1,000 cases of the 2006 vintage were produced from these very restrictive sources.