Lucia by Pisoni Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2022

The Pisonis farm three of the appellation's most respected sites - Pisoni, Garys' and Soberanes - and the Estate Cuvée is the only Lucia that blends all three into a single wine, led by the high, rocky Pisoni vineyard with Garys' and Soberanes filling out the mid-palate. The Lucia label is how that fruit reaches a sensible price. Hand-picked, fermented with native yeast and aged in French oak under winemaker Jeff Pisoni, with gravity-flow handling throughout. The depth-without-heaviness house style comes straight from the appellation's daily clock: overnight fog off Monterey Bay holds the cold and preserves acidity, a few hours of mountain sun build ripeness, then a sustained afternoon wind slows everything down again. That long, cool hang gives real concentration without ever losing the freshness. Expect crushed strawberry, spiced plum and dark berry, with savoury hints of black tea and Asian spice and a layer of subtle vanilla from the oak. Tannins are youthful but approachable - it drinks beautifully now. Serve lightly cool, 14-16°C.