Lucia by Pisoni "Soberanes Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2022
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [WE 96] [TWI 95] [VM 94] [JS 93] [WA 92]

Vintage
The 2022 vintage proved to be a year that reinforced the importance of knowing your producer. Overall, the vintage was dry and early, which resulted in beautifully fragrant and concentrated wines—but it was imperative that one acted on quick harvest decisions before an oncoming September heat wave. Rainfall was low and the California drought continued through this year. Five and a half of the seven total inches received this season fell in the month of December. This means much less rain would fall over the growing season, further stressing the vines. A warmer than average February and March began to awaken the vines earlier than expected. May brought on flowering, and with that came a stretch of cooler temperatures that slowed the growth of the vines and proved essential for tannin and color development. As a mild summer set in, smaller than average canopies and a lower-yielding crop level became apparent. A cool August allowed for phenolic development of each berry while sugar accumulation remained very slow. As September began the forecast of hotter weather materialized. All of California was facing an intense heat wave that reminded us of the 2017 and 2004 vintages. Using past vintages as a guide and wanting to harvest before the heat waves, we made longer passes through the vineyard each night to ensure all blocks were harvested at our desired moments. This approach paid off and the 2022 vintage has higher than average concentration with vibrant aromatics.

Vineyard
The Soberanes Vineyard is the latest joint venture between the Pisoni and Franscioni families. Situated on the Santa Lucia Highlands Bench adjacent to the Garys’ Vineyard and recently named “one of the appellation’s most esteemed properties” by the Wine Enthusiast, the site features tightly spaced vines and is planted to 33 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The clonal material planted in the loamy, rocky soil is very diverse and features over a dozen of the most renowned heritage selections from California and Burgundy.

Winemaking
The Pisoni Family is committed to raising and hand-crafting exceptional wines. The limited-production Lucia wines are created using classic, gentle and thoughtful winemaking techniques. Hand-picked and sorted grapes are fermented with native yeast and aged in carefully selected French oak barrels. Our state-of-the-art winemaking facility uses gravity flow as part of a custom design conceived to merge the estate vineyards and winery. This affords us complete control of the farming and winemaking process, ensuring consistently superior quality.

Tasting Notes
Exhibiting the characteristics of Vin de Garde, a wine built to age, the 2022 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes the confidence of youth as its deep ruby hue stains inside of the glass. Though tightly wound at this point in its life, this wine still blossoms with delicate rose petal, perfumed sandalwood aroma, kirsch and spiced plum. With air, the tight grip of infancy loosens to reveal lifted notes of red cherry and crushed red berries that entice the senses. On the palate, bright acidity brought on by the chilled coastal air cuts a path followed by juicy flavors of black cherry, ripe raspberry and accented with more savory notes of baking spice, dried tea leaves, and hint of umami. An expansive Pinot Noir that is approachable in its youth with fine grained, almost silky tannin, this has a pillar of acidity that suggests long term aging will reward the most patient of palates.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Deep and intense aromas of blackberry, purple flowers and ink-black hibiscus make for a fascinating nose on this bottling. The palate veers even into blueberry, with ample cocoa and mint spice, and enough acidity to stay fresh." - MK (Oct 2024)

95 Points - The Wine Independent:

The 2022 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard, fermented with 30% whole clusters, is medium ruby-purple in color. Scents of black cherries, juicy plums, and boysenberry hop from the glass, giving way to underlying hints of licorice, crushed rocks, and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely laden with ripe black berry flavors framed by fine-grained tannins and a lively line, finishing long with a spicy kick.

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard is floral and lifted but also rich and concentrated. Dark rose petals, dark sweet cherry, pomegranate, baking spice and a soft embrace of extremely fine, gauze-like tannin lends structure. In spite of its dark character, ample freshness and clear delineation of flavors are at play. Well done." - Billy Norris (Jul 2024)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"A beautiful, classic pinot aroma leads to a rich but balanced palate in this bright and flavorful wine. Cherries, black tea and fallen leaves on the nose, and ripe red and black cherries on the palate. Light tannins and moderate acidity carry it through. Drink or hold."(Aug 2024)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard sees more whole clusters and less new oak than the other wines in the Pisoni range, a combination that affords it noticeably more clarity and balance. The nose opens with dehydrated red fruits and tobacco aromas, transitioning to a soft, velvety palate. It concludes with a ripe yet structured, grippy finish that manages an ethereal, mineral-tinged lift with some coaxing." - Matthew Luczy (Oct 2024)