Lucia by Pisoni, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Chardonnay 2022

 I imagine it’s always a challenge to let a site speak and to make the choice to not exert your will as a winemaker into the equation – particularly when it comes to Chardonnay.  I really appreciate Mark and Jeff Pisoni’s attention to that detail – in the vineyard and in the winery, there is a “light hands” approach that lets vineyard expression take center stage.  There’s just enough new oak influence here to deepen the apple pie and fruit mix and add some structure and spice.  The finish is extremely bright now and will soften a bit with some bottle age.  Bravo!