First Rate Reviews from Wine Enthusiast
for 2019 Lucia Wines
We are delighted to announce that all eight of the Lucia wines from the 2019 vintage have been honored with first-rate reviews by Wine Enthusiast‘s contributing editor and reviewer, Matt Kettmann. These reviews are a stunning reflection of an extraordinary growing season that rewarded all of our Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards.
Of the Pinot Noirs, the Lucia 2019 Gary’s Vineyard stands out to Kettmann as “bombastic but balanced and beautiful.” The “opulent, lush, and juicy, but well focused” palate of the 2019 Lucia Pinot Noir from Soberanes Vineyard also left its mark on the distinguished reviewer. The 2019 Chardonnays were met with memorable reviews, as well: from Soberanes Vineyard, Kettman reports “a fascinating aroma of lemon rind meets with wet stone,” while the 2019 Lucia Chardonnay “throws in the edge of riverstone minerality.” The 2019 Syrah from Susan’s Hill was recognized as a Cellar Selection, and Kettman encouraged readers to enjoy the “intense” palate of “cassis, dried purple flowers, soy sauce and a dusting of cracked peppercorns” between 2023-2035.
Year after year, hundreds of thousands of readers rely on Wine Enthusiast as a trusted resource to educate and inspire their wine selections. The Pisoni Family is thrilled that the 2019 vintage has been met with such stellar reception from the esteemed publication.
This is a bombastic but balanced and beautiful Pinot Noir, beginning with aromas of black-cherry kirsch, cola and licorice. An epic richness envelops the palate, yet it’s encased in a firm skeleton of tannins. Flavors of black cherry and cedar lead into a pine-tar-laced finish.
Rich aromas of boysenberry pie, lilac and violet make for a lively and floral nose to kick off this bottling. The palate is also opulent, lush and juicy but well focused, with chalky tannins and brilliant acidity framing those warm berry-pie flavors.
Intense aromas of melted black-cherry sorbet drizzled in caramel sauce make for a very fruity but lovable nose. The palate boasts an assertive boysenberry character, with tons of unapologetically ripe fruit that’s offset by mint and cocoa flavors. Drink now.
A fascinating aroma of lemon rind meets with wet stone, lightly toasted nuts and a hint of coconut on the nose of this bottling. The palate blasts with energetic acidity and clings to a sticky tension, delivering flavors of salt, stone fruit and the lightest brush of macadamia nut toward the finish.
There’s a richness to the nose of this bottling, showing aromas of a marzipan glaze on peaches alongside pineapple and honeysuckle. The palate throws in the edge of riverstone minerality, weaving a tense structure through the apricot and pineapple flavors, with a long-lingering burst of acidity.
Boysenberry, white pepper and wet asphalt show on the nose of this bottling, which also offers a pleasantly funky edge. The palate is incredibly tight and focused, with persistent acidity and firm tannins upholding charred beef, violet, lavender and açai flavors.
Cracked pepper, blueberry sorbet, charred meat and charcoal meet with a pinch of lavender on the nose of this bottling. The palate is tarry and dense, with violet, lavender and elderberry flavors. It’s very young and will blossom with time. Drink 2022–2034.
Dense aromas of blackberry and cassis meet with white pepper and violet on the intensely concentrated yet not overly ripe nose of this bottling. The palate is also intense, with cassis, dried purple flowers, soy sauce and a dusting of cracked peppercorns. This needs a bit more time. Drink 2023–2035. Cellar Selection.
2019 Lucia, Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir 
A Trifecta from Wine Enthusiast
2019 Susan’s Hill Syrah