The 2021 Lucia by Pisoni Soberanes Chardonnay is a notable wine from the Central Coast of California, specifically the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey. This Chardonnay has garnered high praise from multiple professional reviewers, highlighting its quality and complexity.
Wine Spectator awarded this wine a score of 93, describing it as "supple and elegant, with a fleshy core of peach, white raspberry and lemon curd flavors that are generous and focused." The review by MW also mentions an intricate blend of "salted butterscotch, lime zest, wild fennel and lemon blossoms," culminating in a "fresh, detailed finish." This description underscores the wine's balance and layered flavors.
Wine Enthusiast's Matt Kettmann gave it an even higher score of 94, appreciating its "delicate aromas of buttercream and Meyer lemon paste" which contribute to a "subtly engaging nose." Kettmann further notes the wine's "textural grip" and the flavors of "lemon cream, apple peel and soft meringue." This review highlights the wine's appealing texture and complex flavor profile.
Jeb Dunnuck's review stands out with a score of 95, calling the wine "straight-up gorgeous" and praising its "melon, papaya, minty herbs, and honeyed minerality." Dunnuck emphasizes the wine's "medium-bodied, vibrant, layered, lengthy profile," noting that it was aged for 17 months in 35% new French oak. He also acknowledges its potential for aging, suggesting it will remain impressive for 5-7 years, if not longer.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, with a score of 94, commends the wine's "mineral-driven scents of iodine and river stone" and its "nuances of beeswax, cashew and jasmine." Erin Brooks notes the wine's "light-bodied palate" and "slowly unfurling core of honeyed flavors," balanced by "bright acidity" and a "long, flavorful finish." Brooks also recommends allowing the wine to age for 2-3 years for optimal enjoyment.
Overall, the 2021 Lucia by Pisoni Soberanes Chardonnay is a highly acclaimed wine, noted for its elegant complexity, vibrant acidity, and aging potential. Its combination of fruit, mineral, and subtle oak flavors make it a standout choice for Chardonnay enthusiasts.