#49 Top 100 Wines of the USA 2024 edition ~ James Suckling. 
95-Points by Decanter. 
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.
 
95-Points by Vinous.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée is a beautiful, super-finessed wine. This year marks the first inclusion of fruit from the newest vineyard in the Pisoni/Franscioni portfolio—WindRock—which joins the typical lineup of Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes. The 2023 is a model of elegance. Floral-inflected notes of blood orange, lavender and sweet spices build in a broad yet focused, supple, velvety Pinot Noir. The finish lasts long beyond each sip. Everything here speaks to refinement, polish and poise.
 
Jeff Pisoni Notes: “A vintage of patience paid off with this complex blend of entirely estate-farmed vineyards, as well as introducing a new planting. The 2023 Lucia by Pisoni Pinot Noir, Estate Cuvée is a blend of 41% Pisoni Vineyards, 32% Garys’ Vineyard, 15% Soberanes Vineyard and 12% WindRock Vineyard. Our most recent estate vineyard introduces another expression of intense farming and fruit expression, planted to the north of Garys’ Vineyard. The slow and late harvest brought a classic profile to the Pinot Noirs—bright, pure and balanced. Deep color and exuberant aromas of red raspberries, dark cherries, ground clove, and vanilla emit from the glass. Soft and layered tannins are woven together with notes of fresh red plum and allspice. The extended growing season is evident on the palate as well, with a long finish that extends the depth of flavor.”
 
Pisoni Estate is the eponymous Pinot Noir made by the Pisoni Family and sourced from their Pisoni Vineyard. The site was founded and first planted by Gary Pisoni in 1982. His sons have since taken over the family business with Mark as vineyard manager and Jeff the winemaker. To the Pisoni’s, viticulture and winemaking must be seen as a whole, rather than as separate parts. This is essential to producing the best wine possible. The goal of Pisoni Estate is to create a great wine that represents this vineyard, a commitment to the land, and the passion of their family.
The Pisoni family approaches winemaking as an art, a science, and a craft. As such, from planting to pruning to harvesting, they work by hand, in accordance both with Burgundian tradition and their own ongoing understanding of what will best sustain this land they love and respect.
Successful wine is the result of holistic thinking and a synergy of parts. Vineyard manager Mark and vintner Jeff, his brother, work in close collaboration to pass on their father Gary’s vision. Just as Mark approaches growing and harvesting in the vineyards block-by-block, Jeff vinifies in small lots, hand-sorting grapes, observing, tasting, and testing them as they undergo native yeast fermentation, and supervising punch-down by hand. Their wine is the product of their joint sustained and meticulous attention.