![Lucia Vineyards "Soberanes Vineyard" Syrah 2019 (Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [JD 96] [VM 95]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/LuciaSoberanesSyrah_{width}x.jpg?v=1631742309)
Lucia Vineyards "Soberanes Vineyard" Syrah 2019
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [JD 96] [VM 95]
Regular price $85.00 Sale price $64.97 Save $20.03
About the Winery:
With generations of farming history in Monterey County, and a commitment to making exceptional wines, the Pisoni Family hand-crafts the Lucia wines from the Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes Vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Tasting Notes:
The 2019 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Syrah is a show-stopping example of the power, elegance, and finesse this legendary variety is capable of. True purple from edge to edge, this wine harnesses an array of pure, concentrated aromatics that burst into the air with each swirl. At its best when both savory and fruit notes are in perfect harmony, this Syrah attacks the senses up front with blackberry jam and ripe blueberry, balanced by complimentary flavors of smoked meat, graphite, and ground black peppercorn. Bridging the gap from start to finish, polished, fine-grained tannin from 100% whole cluster fermentation adds volume and immense texture to the palate, while bright acidity born from the cooling afternoon winds of the Santa Lucia Highlands cuts to the core of this wine, suggesting the 2019 vintage will live on in this bottle for countless years to come.
The beautiful weather and mild seasons of 2018 continued into 2019, cultivating another excellent year for grape growers and winemakers. The 2019 vintage saw 15.2” of winter rainfall. This is dry by most region’s standards, but a very nice amount for the Santa Lucia Highlands. It provided good soil moisture to start the season. Budbreak began late due to the lengthy cold front in February and March, which brought snowfall to the tops of the Santa Lucia mountain range. As the season transitioned into summer, the canopies were strong and the weather remained cool with heavy fog. Verasion developed late but progressed quickly as temperatures rose. This was beneficial in creating a consistent level of development and ripeness. Approaching fall, weather remained steady, yet the drying soils brought harvest about more quickly: our Chardonnay grapes from Soberanes Vineyard were the first to harvest on September 13. The Pinot Noir harvest started with the Garys’ Vineyard on September 14. First harvest at Pisoni Estate was Pinot Noir on September 20. The harvest then continued at a steady gallop until the final day of picking on October 16. The resulting wines show great purity and focus, with richness and concentration and exceptionally fine tannins. The 2019 vintage brings a profile that is generous in flavor, but still refined and built for aging.
About the Vineyard:
The Soberanes Vineyard is the latest joint venture between the Pisoni and Franscioni families. Situated on the Santa Lucia Highlands Bench adjacent to the Garys’ Vineyard and recently named “one of the appellation’s most esteemed properties” by the Wine Enthusiast, the site features tightly spaced vines and is planted to 33 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The clonal material planted in the loamy, rocky soil is very diverse and features over a dozen of the most renowned heritage selections from California and Burgundy.
Tasting Notes:
The 2019 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Syrah is a show-stopping example of the power, elegance, and finesse this legendary variety is capable of. True purple from edge to edge, this wine harnesses an array of pure, concentrated aromatics that burst into the air with each swirl. At its best when both savory and fruit notes are in perfect harmony, this Syrah attacks the senses up front with blackberry jam and ripe blueberry, balanced by complimentary flavors of smoked meat, graphite, and ground black peppercorn. Bridging the gap from start to finish, polished, fine-grained tannin from 100% whole cluster fermentation adds volume and immense texture to the palate, while bright acidity born from the cooling afternoon winds of the Santa Lucia Highlands cuts to the core of this wine, suggesting the 2019 vintage will live on in this bottle for countless years to come.
Other Information
About the 2019 Vintage:The beautiful weather and mild seasons of 2018 continued into 2019, cultivating another excellent year for grape growers and winemakers. The 2019 vintage saw 15.2” of winter rainfall. This is dry by most region’s standards, but a very nice amount for the Santa Lucia Highlands. It provided good soil moisture to start the season. Budbreak began late due to the lengthy cold front in February and March, which brought snowfall to the tops of the Santa Lucia mountain range. As the season transitioned into summer, the canopies were strong and the weather remained cool with heavy fog. Verasion developed late but progressed quickly as temperatures rose. This was beneficial in creating a consistent level of development and ripeness. Approaching fall, weather remained steady, yet the drying soils brought harvest about more quickly: our Chardonnay grapes from Soberanes Vineyard were the first to harvest on September 13. The Pinot Noir harvest started with the Garys’ Vineyard on September 14. First harvest at Pisoni Estate was Pinot Noir on September 20. The harvest then continued at a steady gallop until the final day of picking on October 16. The resulting wines show great purity and focus, with richness and concentration and exceptionally fine tannins. The 2019 vintage brings a profile that is generous in flavor, but still refined and built for aging.
About the Vineyard:
The Soberanes Vineyard is the latest joint venture between the Pisoni and Franscioni families. Situated on the Santa Lucia Highlands Bench adjacent to the Garys’ Vineyard and recently named “one of the appellation’s most esteemed properties” by the Wine Enthusiast, the site features tightly spaced vines and is planted to 33 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The clonal material planted in the loamy, rocky soil is very diverse and features over a dozen of the most renowned heritage selections from California and Burgundy.
Ratings & Reviews
96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"I loved the 2019 Syrah Soberanes Vineyard. This beauty gives up a dense purple hue as well as a Hermitage-like perfume of black raspberries, spring flowers, ground pepper, leather, and exotic spices. More bacon fat and mineral notes develop as it sits in the glass, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It has enough tannins to warrant 2-3 years of bottle age, but this is beautiful stuff." (7/22/2021)
95 Points - Vinous:
Inky violet color. Spice-accented dark berry liqueur, candied violet and licorice aromas are complemented by hints of olive paste, bacon fat and vanilla. Palate-coating cassis, cherry liqueur and fruitcake flavors show serious depth and are supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Expands slowly with aeration and finishes extremely long and smoky, with mounting tannins and outstanding, floral-driven tenacity. 100% whole clusters and 30% new French oak.
"I loved the 2019 Syrah Soberanes Vineyard. This beauty gives up a dense purple hue as well as a Hermitage-like perfume of black raspberries, spring flowers, ground pepper, leather, and exotic spices. More bacon fat and mineral notes develop as it sits in the glass, and it's full-bodied, with a layered, seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It has enough tannins to warrant 2-3 years of bottle age, but this is beautiful stuff." (7/22/2021)
95 Points - Vinous:
Inky violet color. Spice-accented dark berry liqueur, candied violet and licorice aromas are complemented by hints of olive paste, bacon fat and vanilla. Palate-coating cassis, cherry liqueur and fruitcake flavors show serious depth and are supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Expands slowly with aeration and finishes extremely long and smoky, with mounting tannins and outstanding, floral-driven tenacity. 100% whole clusters and 30% new French oak.