Etude, Carneros (California) Pinot Gris 2021

 One of the most embarrassing things for a writer is to be tasting wines with a producer and comment on something in the wine that the producer tells you isn’t there.  Often, they are telling the truth.  For example, I sometimes notice in white wine a taste of skins or a hint of neutral oak only to find out there was little skin contact time or that no barrels were involved.  The latter is the case with this lovely wine with its pear-dominant aromas and flavors as well as some creaminess, a touch of citrus and a hint of oak, although there was none involved.  (“Battonage?”… the winemaker usually suggests, to assuage my red face.)  It also has a nice, supple structure with a long, lingering finish – a perfect lunch wine.