WTN: Another rare US Pinot seen in Finland!

I've had some really attractive US Pinots. Sadly, this was not one of them. I hope this disappears from Alko soon and we'll get a new one instead (Alko for some reason won't keep two of them at the same time).

2009 Etude Pinot Noir Estate Carneros - USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros (1/31/2014)
Served blind. 14,4% on the producer's label corrected(?) to 15% by Alko. But whatever the alcohol is, it is too much. The smell is not that of any PN I've before had but a mixture of oak, alcohol and prune. Sweet, raisiny palate, very thick and concentrated and oaky. Unpleasantly hot on the finish despite some acidity that brings a touch of freshness to the whole. My guess: a hot year Grenache-based wine e.g. CdP 2009 from a producer that for some reason likes to use new oak on a variety that can't handle it.

[Jenise]

It's a very extracted style; and I agree with you, not what I want from that grape.

[David M. Bueker]

I have never figured out what people see in this wine. There is so much delicious, elegant Pinot Noir from California these days, but it is mixed in with the Cabernet wanna-be dross. If you ever see a bottle from Littorai, Arnot-Roberts, Anthill Farms, etc. you will get a totally different side of California Pinot Noir.

Unfortunately, many Carneros producers seem to love this style. Or a simple candied red cherry profile. Acacia asks $100 for some of their Pinots, and I have to say I was not impressed.

I do like the Clos Du Val Carneros bottlings, which are much more restrained.