The 2023 Chardonnay Estate Cuvée is round, rich and exuberant, with golden apple, allspice, sweet white peach and stony mineral character. Chamomile and white flowers add lift. A touch of heat pokes out on the finish, but the 2023 entices with its beguiling nose and inner sweetness.

The 2023 Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard was made in the classic Burgundian method of ten months in barrel followed by five months in tank. Intense and reductive, it opens with notes of gunpowder, flint, white pepper and a slight smokiness that accents an intense core of sweet, ripe yellow peach, white nectarine and orange confit. This is a wine that strikes an impressive balance of power and finesse,but what I admire most is its focus and precision. The finish is long and grippy, driven by enough cool-toned acidity to enliven the mouthfeel. The 2023 is impressive.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée is a beautiful, super-finessed wine. This year
marks the first inclusion of fruit from the newest vineyard in the Pisoni/Franscioni portfolio—WindRock—which joins the typical lineup of Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes. The 2023 is a model of elegance. Floral-inflected notes of blood orange, lavender and sweet spices build in a broad yet focused, supple, velvety Pinot Noir. The finish lasts long beyond each sip. Everything here speaks to refinement, polish and poise.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard wears its 30% whole clusters to great effect. A sweet core of blueberry fruit, grilled rosemary, tobacco, rose stem and black pepper intensifies with air. This is a voluptuous, seamless wine with understated power. Soberanes’ hallmark rocky minerality emerges on the finish. Excellent.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard is classic Garys’, delivering dark red cherry fruit and an array of spice tones, with ample energy to burn. Large-scaled and saturating, the 2023 is a young, fruity wine that needs some time in bottle to build complexity. It’s very soft and forward today.

Done with 100% whole clusters, the Syrah Soberanes Vineyard is an absolute monster in 2023. It wears its peppery character on its sleeve, bolstered by a layer of purple berries, gravel,iron and sizzling incense. Native fermentation of 100% Alban clone, paired with the bold use of stems, yielded a super-aromatic, self-assured, expressive Syrah. Chalky and imposing through the powerful, long finish, this is certain to be a long-distance runner. Give it a few years to settle down. Bravo.

The 2023 Syrah Susan’s Hill is shaping up to be a masterpiece. It absolutely vibrates with floral intensity and intoxicating aromatics. I keep nosing the glass because I just can’t resist. The 2023 boasts supreme density, unflinching power and uncompromising balance. Violet, incense, pepper, white pepper, cured meat and black olive notes sing. I can’t wait to taste this from bottle.