Etude Wines Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch Carneros 2015  - Last Bottle

Etude Wines Chardonnay Grace Benoist Ranch Carneros 2015

ETUDE!! Single-vineyard Chardonnay! 90 points! Founded in 1982 by the legendary Tony Soter (he has also consulted for the likes of Dalla Valle, Spottswoode, Shafer, Araujo, Viader and so many more rock stars), Etude is a classic for rock-solid, delicious, and, when you are hip to Last Bottle, occasionally face-meltingly priced -- like today!


Everyone, of course, needs a few cases of chardonnay around the house at any given time. You know, for drinking. And for just about everything else that goes on at your house -- you need chardonnay. Etude’s terrific Benoist Ranch bottling in Carneros (priced like we have it) is PERFECT. Made in a non-heavy/fresh and zippy style (as opposed to really rich and oaky), this way-too-easy-to-guzzle wine is all about fresh stone fruits, apples and pears, with lip-smacking acidity and pure, clean flavors. We loved it -- there’s a case sitting in my office as I type this…!


Pretty hard to go wrong today! We bought every single little bottle we could find...while they last!

From six special acres in the heart of the Grace Benoist Ranch, our estate Chardonnay is iconic, representing all that is memorable about Carneros. Vibrant yet elegantly restrained, the wine is crafted as a showcase for the fruit, without malolactic fermentation and the lightest touch of oak. Aromas and flavors of classic Chardonnay signatures—including Bartlett pear and crisp green apple—are joined with lemon zest, citrus blossom and mineral notes. A solid acid backbone, with great structure and balance, are the hallmark of this wine each vintage.

Technical Details

Country: United States
Region: California
Appellation: Sonoma County
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vineyard: Grace Benoist Ranch estate
Winemaker: Jon Priest
Aging/Cooperage: The fruit for our Carneros Estate Chardonnay was harvested at night and gently whole-cluster pressed before being transferred to neutral French oak barrels for fermentation. The wine was bottled after 11 months of maturation, with a weekly stirring of the lees for the initial two months of aging to enhance aromatics and increase mid-palate texture. Our Chardonnay is crafted to showcase the unique terroir of Grace Benoist Ranch and did not go through malolactic fermentation in order to capture the natural acidity and beauty of cool-climate Carneros Chardonnay.
Harvest Date: August 3, 2015
Alcohol: 13.2%

About The Producer

Etude believes winemaking begins in the vineyard long before harvest, with superior grape growing leading to wines with authentic varietal expression and a telling reflection of where they are grown
and produced. Established in 1982, Etude was founded on the philosophy that winemaking begins in the vineyard, long before harvest, and that superior grape growing allows our winemakers to craft wines of exceptional varietal expression and finesse. This ethos remains unwavering as the winery continues to build upon its established legacy of exemplary Pinot Noir. 

Pairing Suggestions

flaky white fish with herbs, scallops, turkey breast and soft cheeses. Richer Chardonnays marry well with lobster, crab, salmon, roasted chicken and creamy sauces.

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