Pisoni 2022 Pinot Noir “Estate” Santa Lucia Highlands 97 Points – MAGNUM

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “The 2022 Pinot Noir is gorgeous, and a match for any number of Grand Cru Red Burgundies, which is certainly what it brings to mind when tasting it. Sporting a deeper ruby/garnet hue as well as a stunning nose of black raspberries, darker strawberries, spring flowers, and baking spices, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a gorgeous finish. Coming from a challenging year that saw a significant Labor Day heatwave, this nevertheless does everything right. I love it today, yet it will evolve gracefully over the coming 10-15 years.”

Jeff Pisoni notes: “The Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir is comprised of vineyard blocks from the several different ridges and soil types at Pisoni Vineyards. The highly complex terrain and older vines create a wildly complex and beautiful expression of Pinot Noir. The early season of 2022 brought phenolic development early, which resulted in wonderfully pure and rich aromatics followed by excellent tannin structure. Deep purple, this wine leaps from the glass with aromas of violets, spiced plum, lavender, crushed strawberry, and rose petal. The texture is equally impressive with rich layers of gentle tannins. On the palate one gains a sense of power from the wine, with evolving richness, and the integration of carefully selected French Oak barrels. After hand-picking, sorting, and native fermentation, this wine is aged in the barrel without racking or moving for 10 months. Bottling is then carried out carefully and without fining or filtration to obtain the most exquisite Pinot Noir.”