PISONI Lucy Pico Blanco - Santa Lucia Highlands 2023 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Pisoni Lucy Pico Blanco 2023 is an elegantly poised white blend of 86 percent Pinot Gris and 14 percent Pinot Blanc, whole cluster pressed, fermented with native yeasts in neutral barrels and bottled without fining. Pale gold with a clear core, it offers pear, white peach, green apple, citrus blossom and lime zest, with honeysuckle and crushed almond. Medium bodied with a silky texture and precise saline lift, stone fruit is balanced by zesty lemon and crisp acidity. Pinot Blanc adds backbone and floral lift while Pinot Gris supplies weight and texture. Subtle pastry and toasted brioche notes from neutral barrel add complexity. Approachable now yet will reward short term cellaring. Drink 2026 to 2030. Serve with shellfish or scallops.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Pisoni Lucy Pico Blanco 2023 is an elegantly poised white blend of 86 percent Pinot Gris and 14 percent Pinot Blanc, whole cluster pressed, fermented with native yeasts in neutral barrels and bottled without fining. The colour is pale gold with a clear core and luminous sheen, offering an inviting sense of purity. The nose opens with ripe pear, white peach and green apple, joined by citrus blossom, lime zest and a delicate honeysuckle perfume. With gentle airing subtle savoury notes of crushed almond, pastry crust and toasted brioche emerge, together with a faint saline mineral thread that hints at cool coastal influence.

On the palate the wine is medium bodied with a silky texture and a precise, saline lift. Primary stone fruit of pear and white peach leads, complemented by zesty lemon and crisp Granny Smith acidity that gives energy and drive. The Pinot Blanc component lends a fine backbone and floral lift while the Pinot Gris provides rounder fruit weight and texture. Gentle phenolic grip from whole cluster pressing gives structure without bitterness, and the neutral barrel élevage contributes light oxidative complexity in the form of almond praline and a touch of honeyed richness. Mid palate complexity is further enhanced by a whisper of white pepper and a faint herbal lift that brightens the finish.

This bottling exemplifies minimal intervention winemaking that preserves varietal clarity while offering depth and texture. It is approachable now but will benefit from short term cellaring as the palate tightens and the subtle oak notes integrate. Drink 2026 to 2030, peaking 2027 to 2029. Serve chilled with shellfish, seared scallops, crab cakes, goat cheese tart or lightly spiced Asian salads. Lucy Pico Blanco 2023 is a refined and versatile white that balances fruit purity with savoury complexity and a long mineral finish.

-----

ABOUT PISONI
Pisoni is a distinguished family owned producer based in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County, renowned for its expressive estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and for single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from neighbouring sites. The estate was established by Gary Pisoni, whose early commitment to low yielding plantings and attentive vineyard work laid the foundation for the Pisoni reputation. Today the operation remains in family hands, principally led by his sons Mark and Jeff Pisoni, who continue to prioritise site selection, vine health and quality driven farming.

Vineyards are worked meticulously and sit on well drained, sloping sites that benefit from cool Pacific breezes and significant diurnal range, conditions that favour slow ripening and retention of natural acidity. The core estate holdings focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay planted to multiple clones in carefully managed blocks, while the family has also sourced and developed adjoining sites for Cabernet Sauvignon and other varieties. Vine age varies across blocks, with older vines contributing concentration and younger plantings adding freshness and precision. Viticultural practice stresses hand work, canopy management, yield control and selective picking to ensure fruit is harvested at optimum phenolic ripeness.

Winemaking is directed by the Pisoni family with a hands on approach in the cellar. Small batch fermentations, parcel by parcel handling and gentle extraction techniques are commonly used to preserve site expression and to capture nuanced aromatics. Fermentations are temperature managed and élevage in French oak of varying age and format is employed judiciously to support structure without masking fruit character. Regular blending trials and bottle tasting guide final selections for the estate bottlings and limited release single vineyard wines.

Pisoni wines are admired for their depth of fruit, floral complexity, fine natural acidity and poised tannin structure. They combine immediate charm with the capacity to develop additional layers of complexity with careful cellaring. The family continues to invest in clonal selection, precise viticulture and cellar refinement to sustain the estate reputation for producing terroir driven wines of focus and balance.