Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Beautiful freshness on the nose with blueberries, crabapples, citrus and slate and then darker elements of brambleberries and spices. The palate is really taut and savory, but also packs some lovely concentration and body. Drink now or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
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.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
As early as the 1970s Carneros became known as a source of terrific Pinot Noir, and was one of the first California regions to gain such a reputation. The combination of sunny days, cooling fog and thin clay soils are tailor-made for the variety. Another factor in Pinot Noir’s prominent place here is vintners’ willingness to experiment widely. The history of the grape in Carneros is marked by continuous research into clonal variations, viticultural techniques and site selection. Careful evaluation over time has revealed a signature flavor profile as well. Complex aromas and flavors of cherry, red berry, spice, earth and cola appear time and again in Carneros Pinot Noir. To this day the appellation remains one of California’s standard bearers for the variety.