Sign In

2009 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

October 13, 2024 - $16

Estimate

RATINGS

91The Wine Advocate

This is a fairly extroverted Pinot from this appellation, with layers of dark cherries, cola and spices, all of which come together nicely on a big, generous frame.

90Vinous / IWC

Pungent red and dark berry aromas are complicated by cola and mocha. Fleshy black raspberry and cherry flavors are firmed by dusty tannins and given lift by tangy acidity.

PRODUCER

Lucia

Lucia is one of the labels produced by Pisoni Vineyards. Pisoni Vineyards was first planted in 1982 by Gary Pisoni. The vineyards are at an altitude of 1,300 feet in the coastal Santa Lucia Range. The estate traces its roots to 1952, when Jane and Eddie Pisoni began farming vegetables in the Salinas Valley, evenutally earning enough for their son Gary to buy land for vineyards. Today Gary and his sons run the estate. Pisoni is known for its Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir made in small quantities of about 500 cases annually. Under the Lucia label the estate also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Pisoni has a cult following for its wines, and Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “Gary Pisoni, and of course, his vineyard, are respectively the rock star and the grand cru site of the Santa Lucia Highlands.”

REGION

United States, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is a 12-mile long, narrow strip of an appellation wedged along the eastern hillsides of the Santa Lucia mountain range. Given its proximity to Big Sur and the Gabilan Mountain Range to the northeast, Santa Lucia a cool-climate wine growing district. Morning sun is often followed by maritime winds and fog in the afternoon, a weather pattern that prolongs the growing season and means long, gentle ripening of the grapes. Spanish missionaries planted vineyards in the district in the 18th century, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that modern winemakers planted vineyards and began making high quality wine. The district received AVA status in 1991 and today there are 6,000 vineyard acres in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Pinot Noir is the dominant grape planted, followed by Chardonnay and Riesling.

TYPE

Red Wine, Pinot Noir

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.