2023 Lucia by Pisoni ‘Soberanes Vineyard’ Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands

VIN95 The 2023 Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard was made in the classic Burgundian method of ten months in barrel followed by five months in tank.
Intense and reductive, it opens with notes of gunpowder, flint, white pepper and a slight smokiness that accents an intense core of sweet, ripe yellow peach, white nectarine and orange confit. This is a wine that strikes an impressive balance of power and finesse, but what I admire most is its focus and precision. The finish is long and grippy, driven by enough cool-toned acidity to enliven the mouthfeel. The 2023 is impressive.

JS94 Nervy and rich all at once with rocky minerality and ripe citrus—Meyer lemons, primarily—all carried on a creamy yet energetic palate. Saline notes to the minerals make for a savory wine that still showcases plenty of bright fruit with a clip of tarragon at the end. Great bones and focus. Drink or hold.

JD94 Richer in style, the 2023 Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard offers beautiful orange and stone fruits, sappy flowers, and creamed corn aromatics. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, it shows integrated acidity, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish that will keep it drinking beautifully over the coming 5-7 years.