With generations of farming history in Monterey County, and a commitment to making exceptional wines, the Pisoni Family hand-crafts the Lucia wines from the Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes Vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands.
2021 Lucia, Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir
the Vintage
The 2021 growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands was cool, calm, and collected – a trifecta of traits that is welcomed by any grape grower or winemaker. The winter months were dry overall, receiving only about seven inches of rainfall, and forcing vines to reach deep into the rocky soils beneath them. Seemingly a reminder to be careful what you wish for, the rain was welcomed but not easy to predict. Four of the seven inches came at the end of January, keeping the team on their toes to manage erosion and flooding in the mountain vineyards. Buds broke a week or so later than normal, near the end of March, likely due to the preceding cold winter temperatures. Spring fever and slow growth forced the team to exercise patience and diligence amongst the vines. The Summer followed with mild temperatures, and the vines continued to grow with shorter canopies due to low winter rainfall. It was decided early on to remove extra shoots to create a smaller vine to ensure fruit would fully ripen. Smaller canopies and cooperative weather in the Fall allowed for a gentle harvest, with little stress to rush until the last week of September when temperatures began to rise. Overall, yields were above average with cluster weights staying consistent throughout harvest. The resulting wines are a stunning reflection of a year of cooperation from & collaboration with mother nature, impeccable attention in the vineyards, and exceptional care in the cellar.
the 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.
the 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
With a deep ruby core that borders on shades of purple, the 2021 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir is quiet in its youth, and the aromas slowly emerge from newly poured glass. As each fleeting moment passes, this wine’s tight profile begins to loosen and reveal waves of aromas. Notes of spice, sandalwood, and vanilla unfurl to reveal sumptuous notes of plum, raspberry, su bois, and floral hints of rose petal. Red berries and black cherry flavors provide a rich, luxurious mouthfeel, while rustic undertones of dried herbs, black tea, and spice from 34% whole cluster fermentation create an experience that is full throttle, yet restrained and elegant all at once. The slow fermentation with exclusively indigenous yeast is partly to thank for the superb purity or fruit and structure. It is the foggy and wind-driven influences of the Santa Lucia Highlands that provides the fresh acidity to ensure this wine will age beautifully into the next decade.
| Cases Produced | 399 |
|---|---|
| Retail Price | $70 |
| Release Date | Spring 2023 |
| Winemaker | Jeff Pisoni |
| Barrel Aging | 11 month in 45% New Oak |
|---|---|
| Barrel Origin | 100% French Oak |
| Whole Cluster | 35% |
| Fermentation | 100% Native Yeast |
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