2023 Lucia by Pisoni "Estate Cuvée" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

The Estate Pinot Lucia by Pisoni is a blend of fruit from the 15.8-hectare Pisoni Estate, nestled against the Santa Lucia mountain range, and Soberanes Vineyard, a 15.4-hectare, seaward-facing alluvial terrace that slopes five degrees toward the valley floor. The wine is fermented with native yeasts (18% whole cluster) in 40% new French oak and aged for up to 11 months. It’s a bold, juicy red, with dark, concentrated cherry fruit and sandalwood that shows real staying power on the mid-palate. Notes of dark mahogany wood, a touch of cocoa powder, and apple-skin tannins build toward an intense, dark-fruited finish, carried by blood orange and red plum and crafted by winemaker Jeff Pisoni. (JC)