May 5, 2013
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Lucia Vineyards & Winery
| Owner(s) | Pisoni Family |
| Web site | www.luciavineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
This is a family-owned and run winery producing Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Lucy Rosé from Garys' and Pisoni vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. A third vineyard, Soberanes, was planted in 2008, is owned by the Pisonis and Gary Franscioni and will be a source for Lucia wines beginning in 2011. Gary Pisoni (head guy and viticulturist), Jeff Pisoni (winemaker), Mark and Quinn Pisoni (managers) and assistant winemaker Michael Zardo make up the team.
The inaugural vintage was 2000. Two Pinot Noirs are produced: a Santa Lucia Highlands appellation blend using fruit from Garys' and Pisoni Vineyards (often a 50/50 mix) and a single-vineyard wine from Garys' Vineyard. The barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Pisoni Vineyards is a blend from multiple blocks, one of which is 30 years old. Although the names Pisoni and Lucia are known for Pinot Noir, I have really been impressed by this Chardonnay year in and year out. A Lucia Sobranes Vineyard Chardonnay was offered with the 2010 vintage.
Lucia wines are sold through a mailing list and select retail distribution.
Articles About Lucia Vineyards & Winery
2012 Chardonnay All-Americans (9.17 12/26/2012)
Blush Pinot Noir is a REAL Wine (6.59 5/26/2008)
Garys’ Vineyard 2004 Horizontal Tasting (7.21 7/9/2009)
Mining for Very Good Over-$30 Pinot:Upping the Ante (8.32 3/1/2011)
Monterey County: Great Pinot Values (7.25 9/5/2009)
On the California Wine Trail (9.13 10/26/2012)
On the Pinot Trail: WOPN 2010 (8.13 4/8/2010)
Recent Chardonnays to Recommend (8.37 5/13/2011)
Recommended Chardonnays (9.5 4/4/2012)
Rosella's, Garys & Pisoni Comparative Tasting (9.6 4/18/2012)
The Holy Trinity of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (9.6 4/18/2012)
Reviewed Wines
2010 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $40.
Sourced from three small blocks at Pisoni Vineyards and vinified by Jeff
Pisoni. Few wine connoisseurs are aware of the tiny amount of
Chardonnay on the Pisoni property that was originally planted in 1982.
·
Light straw color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of baked pear, crème
brûlée, pineapple and lemony citrus. A moderately rich style made with
full malolactic barrel fermentation and barrel aging sur lie. Fresh,
satisfying and thoroughly user friendly, displaying perfect integration of oak and
overall impeccable balance. One of my favorite California Chardonnays and a
great value.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.5% alc., $45. Inaugural bottling
from this vineyard.
·
Light straw color in the glass. Aromas of apple, roasted nuts, fresh brioche and lemon
curd. Mid weight flavors of baked apple with a hint of citrus. Slightly creamy and smooth on the palate with
juicy finishing acidity. Very good
Reviewed April 4, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 435
cases, $40. Produced from three small blacks at Pisoni Vineyard planted in 1982 using a prestigious Montrachet selection from a famous producer in Burgundy. Unfiltered.
·
Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Nicely
perfumed with aromas of pears, papaya, banana and brioche. Delicious
flavors of pears, creme brulee, white peaches and light caramels. Soft
and slight creamy with no hard edges and commendable balance. Fruit
is emphasized over acidity. Will have many fans. Very good.
Reviewed May 15, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $35. From three small blocks at Pisoni
Vineyards. Few connoisseurs are aware of the tiny parcels of Chardonnay on the property. Originally
planted in 19082, these old Chardonnay vines prosper in the cool climate.
·
Medium straw color in the
glass. Aromas of ripe pears, pineapple and honeyed biscuit. Delicious baked pear, apple pie and
toasted brioche flavors with a citrus high note in the background. Smooth and silky with some
persistence on the finish. A warmer climate style not particularly high in acid or minerality but thoroughly
delightful.
Reviewed May 15, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 550 cases, $40. From Garys’ and Pisoni
vineyards, about 50% each.
·
Deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Ripe and raisiny nose with scents of
porto and sassafras. The flavors follow in step in this well-balanced wine that is appealingly soft in the mouth.
Decent.
Reviewed March 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.5% alc..
·
The aromas are primarily oakderived
showing roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Darkly fruity and chunky, a bit rustic, with a prominent
chocolate flavor that should appeal to many. Has healthy tannins to stand up to hearty fare. Good.
Reviewed April 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Lucy Santa Lucia Highlands Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $16. From Lucia Vineyards.
·
Moderately deep pink color. Smoky wild berry aromas with some matchstick showing up. Red berry
flavors with smoky overtones and a brambly green herbal note. A decent drink, but quite quirky for a
rosé.
Reviewed May 26, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $34. From
the Pisoni family vineyards.
·
Powerful and very sexy deep berry and black
cherry aromas with whiffs of roses and vanillin. Satisfying core of
raspberry and blueberry fruit flavors with some persistence on the back
end. Nicely balanced with reserved tannins and a soft texture. Highly
recommended for an introduction to the gout de terroir of this appellation.
Reviewed September 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2004 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8% alc..
·
Fairly deep reddish-purple
color. Fresh and pure aromas of black cherries. A masculine wine that retains notable oak but the black cherry
core remains impressive and the alcohol remains submerged.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2010 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $40. Sourced from three small blocks at Pisoni Vineyards and vinified by Jeff Pisoni. Few wine connoisseurs are aware of the tiny amount of Chardonnay on the Pisoni property that was originally planted in 1982. · Light straw color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of baked pear, crème brûlée, pineapple and lemony citrus. A moderately rich style made with full malolactic barrel fermentation and barrel aging sur lie. Fresh, satisfying and thoroughly user friendly, displaying perfect integration of oak and overall impeccable balance. One of my favorite California Chardonnays and a great value. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.5% alc., $45. Inaugural bottling from this vineyard. · Light straw color in the glass. Aromas of apple, roasted nuts, fresh brioche and lemon curd. Mid weight flavors of baked apple with a hint of citrus. Slightly creamy and smooth on the palate with juicy finishing acidity. Very good Reviewed April 4, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 435 cases, $40. Produced from three small blacks at Pisoni Vineyard planted in 1982 using a prestigious Montrachet selection from a famous producer in Burgundy. Unfiltered. · Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of pears, papaya, banana and brioche. Delicious flavors of pears, creme brulee, white peaches and light caramels. Soft and slight creamy with no hard edges and commendable balance. Fruit is emphasized over acidity. Will have many fans. Very good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $35. From three small blocks at Pisoni Vineyards. Few connoisseurs are aware of the tiny parcels of Chardonnay on the property. Originally planted in 19082, these old Chardonnay vines prosper in the cool climate. · Medium straw color in the glass. Aromas of ripe pears, pineapple and honeyed biscuit. Delicious baked pear, apple pie and toasted brioche flavors with a citrus high note in the background. Smooth and silky with some persistence on the finish. A warmer climate style not particularly high in acid or minerality but thoroughly delightful. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 550 cases, $40. From Garys’ and Pisoni vineyards, about 50% each. · Deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Ripe and raisiny nose with scents of porto and sassafras. The flavors follow in step in this well-balanced wine that is appealingly soft in the mouth. Decent. Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.5% alc.. · The aromas are primarily oakderived showing roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Darkly fruity and chunky, a bit rustic, with a prominent chocolate flavor that should appeal to many. Has healthy tannins to stand up to hearty fare. Good. Reviewed April 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Lucy Santa Lucia Highlands Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $16. From Lucia Vineyards. · Moderately deep pink color. Smoky wild berry aromas with some matchstick showing up. Red berry flavors with smoky overtones and a brambly green herbal note. A decent drink, but quite quirky for a rosé. Reviewed May 26, 2008 ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $34. From the Pisoni family vineyards. · Powerful and very sexy deep berry and black cherry aromas with whiffs of roses and vanillin. Satisfying core of raspberry and blueberry fruit flavors with some persistence on the back end. Nicely balanced with reserved tannins and a soft texture. Highly recommended for an introduction to the gout de terroir of this appellation. Reviewed September 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2004 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8% alc.. · Fairly deep reddish-purple color. Fresh and pure aromas of black cherries. A masculine wine that retains notable oak but the black cherry core remains impressive and the alcohol remains submerged. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »
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