2020 Etude Fiddlestix Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

• "Extremely Floral & Energetic With a Fine and Long Tannin Structure" ~95 JS
• "Super-Expressive Today, and Pretty Classy, Too" ~Vinous Media
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About the Wine

Established in 1982 by founding winemaker Tony Soter, Etude set its sights on the cool-climate Carneros region with a singular focus: producing world-class wines. With a passion for the delicate and transparent nature of Pinot Noir, Soter believed it to be the most appropriate vehicle for studying wine growing. "Pinot Noir is a humbling pursuit," he remarked, "but when it’s right, it is a glorious and moving thing."

In 2000, the Grace Benoist Ranch was developed after an eighteen-year journey to find the most suitable terroir for Etude's Estate vineyards. Here, a remarkable diversity of clonal varieties thrives, including seven Chardonnay clones, nine Heirloom Pinot Noir clones, and eight additional Pinot clones. These meticulously tended vineyard blocks, each with its own unique characteristics, yield fruit of unparalleled quality and concentration.

While rooted in Carneros, Etude explores diverse terroirs beyond California (including some of the best appellations in Napa Valley), sourcing fruit from the Central Coast, Oregon, and even New Zealand.

At Etude, wines are believed to be expressive of their birthplace. That's why the winery is committed to holistic winegrowing practices that respect the native ecosystems and minimize environmental impact. From nurturing the soil to fostering sustainable agriculture, Etude has achieved multiple Sustainable Certifications including: Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Fish Friendly Farming Program, Napa Green Certified Land, Napa Green Certified Winery 

"Etude was founded on the philosophy that winemaking begins in the vineyard long before the harvest and that superior grape growing diminishes the need for intervention by the winemaker, resulting in wine that is grown, not made.” - Jon Priest, Etude Winemaker.  

Jon's journey began at the legendary Wine Cask Company in Santa Barbara, where he refined his palate and passion for wine. Over the years, he honed his craft at esteemed wineries such as Wild Horse, Adelaida Cellars, and Taz, before joining Etude in 2005. 

Since joining Etude, Jon has dedicated himself to crafting memorable wines that reflect their origins with every sip. His leadership has elevated Etude to new heights, solidifying its reputation as a producer of exceptional wines, particularly its revered Pinot Noir.

Aging: 12 months in French oak barrels (25% new).

Tasting Notes

100% Pinot Noir. Harmonious and balanced, with incredible fruit concentration, structure and depth. Deep and sinuous, this Pinot is fully engaging with expressive aromatics of dark red berries, black cherry, red currant and cranberry alongside subtle hints of spice from the well-integrated oak and freshly turned earth minerality. On the palate, the fruit is bright and inviting with jubilant red berries interwoven with hints of hibiscus flowers and warm baking spices. Elegantly balanced with mouthwatering acidity and minerality notes, the wine finishes with a lingering savory-ness and persistent length, delivering more layers and complexity as its enjoyed now and for the years to come.

Critical Reviews

Extremely floral with lemon blossom, sliced orange and slightly under-ripe strawberry. Cranberry. Medium to full body. Linear and energetic with a fine and long tannin structure. Drink or hold. ~95 James Suckling

The 2020 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard is laced with crushed red/purplish berry fruit, wild herbs, lavender, sage and rose petal. Aromatic and fleshy, the Fiddlestix is super-expressive today, and pretty classy, too. Hints of kirsch, blood orange and cinnamon linger. ~93 Vinous Media

Suave, with creamed plum and crushed blackberry notes carried by a sleek structure through an anise- and black tea–infused finish, which lets the fruit take an encore. Drink now through 2027. 2,265 cases made. ~92 Wine Spectator

Blended from several blocks, the 2020 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard is mostly Dijon clones, with a dash of Pommard. It's gently smoky and herbal on the nose, with floral nuances and notes of ripe cherries and strawberries. Aged a year in 25% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied, with a silky feel and a long, mouthwatering finish.~91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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