Pisoni Estate "XX Anniversary" Pinot Noir 2018
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [JD 98] [VM 96] [WE 95]

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2018 Pinot Noir from this great estate is a beauty, and certainly comes close to topping out my scale. Coming all from the estate vineyard in the southern end of the appellation, it reveals a translucent ruby/purple hue as well as a gorgeous bouquet of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice, violets, and a kiss of wet granite-like minerality. This was a long, even growing season and you see it in the balance, purity of fruit, ripe tannins, and flawless integration of acidity and structure. While it's supple and forward, my money is on it evolving beautifully for 10-15 years." - Jeb Dunnuck (5/21/2020)

96 Points - Vinous:
Deep, shimmering garnet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red and blue fruits, cherry cola, potpourri and exotic spices, all sharpened by a smoky mineral flourish. Deeply concentrated yet energetic in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral- and spice-drenched black raspberry, cherry, boysenberry and rose pastille flavors that spread out steadily through the back half. Shows sharp definition and finishes extremely long and appealingly sweet, with polished tannins and lingering floral and blue fruit notes. The combination of power and finesse here is quite something.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
This anniversary bottling is both titillating and suave in all aspects. The nose starts with loads of black cherry, vanilla and sarsaparilla aromas. The palate hits with a flash of acidity that fades into smooth flavors of black plum and Luxardo cherry alongside layers of cardamom and licorice.