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. 19,000 cases produced.

An outstanding value in high quality Pinot Noir, the 2012 Pinot Noir Estate is made primarily from Dijon clones. Its dark ruby color is followed by sweet notes of red apple skins, plums, forest floor and red as well as black cherries. Generously endowed with good acidity and freshness, this medium to full-bodied Pinot should drink nicely for 4-5 years.

The 2011 Pinot Noir Estate, which displays some weedy, berry, pomegranate and plum fruit, was aged in French oak, but there is not enough intensity and richness to get excited about. Tel. (877) 586-9361

The 2009 Pinot Noir offers up dark red fruit, game, smoke, ash and tar. Slightly angular contours are the only things that detract from the wine’s overall sense of balance. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. Tel. (707) 257-5300

The least expensive offering, the 2008 Pinot Noir Estate exhibits copious aromas of forest floor, strawberries, black cherries and hints of Allspice and herbs. Medium-bodied, beautifully textured and complex, it is ideal for drinking now and over the next 5-6 years. Tony Soter has sold Etude to the Beringer Group and is now ensconced in Oregon’s Willamette Valley where he is turning out a bevy of beautiful wines. (His rose sparkling wine from there is exquisite.) He still consults for these projects. Etude’s Pinot Noirs tend to spend 12-14 months in French oak according to the vintage and the quality of the fruit. Etude’s three 2007 Cabernet Sauvignons showcase the generic Napa appellations and single AVAs such as Rutherford and Oakville. Tel. (707) 257-5300; Fax (707) 257-6022