B-21 Top Recommendation
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Pinot Noir is a big deal in California, and while places like Sonoma, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara are at the front of everyone's minds, Carneros is the original cool climate AVA in California. Situated at the very south of Napa Valley, it's completely exposed to the influence of nearby San Pablo bay, and the potential for great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has been established here for decades.
One of the long-time, mainstay benchmarks for top-tier Carneros Pinot Noir is Etude, whose home estate of Grace Benoist ranch is one of the most historic vineyard properties in California. Originally founded and put on the map by the legendary Tony Soter, Etude has been under the direction of the equally skilled Jon Priest since 2005. He has continued the legacy of Etude as a Carneros standard-bearer, and the 2022 Grace Benoist Ranch Estate Pinot Noir is ample proof. With 96 points from James Suckling, it's a top-flight value contender in California Pinot at an outrageous $25 price for our private clients. This "floral and impressively complex" expression is premium California Pinot Noir all the way at a case-buy price that allows you to take house red roster up a level or two. | 
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