Producer: Pisoni Estate, Article: Pisoni Estate: Grand Cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands

Coming from 4 to 5 individual blocks I the Pisoni Vineyard and half Wente and half suitcase clones (which are a mix of Montrachet clones and a selection from Soberanes), the 2015 Chardonnay is another beautiful white from this team. Stone fruits, hints of buttered peach, honeycomb and plenty of charcoal-like minerality give way to gorgeous, elegant, seamless chardonnay that has terrific length. This is a seriously impressive Chardonnay that’s going to benefit from short term cellaring and drink well for over a decade. This was bottled in January.

The 2015 Pinot Noir comes mostly from the exposed ridges of the Pisoni Vineyard, which is unquestionably one of the gems in the appellation, as well as in all California. The 2015 is a more elegant, finesse driven example of this cuvee than normal and is a thrillingly complex, nuanced Pinot Noir I wish every reader could taste. Fermented with 20-25% whole clusters and aged in 60-65% new French oak, it offers a great bouquet of black raspberries, spring flowers, crushed violets, spice and subtle minerality. Medium to full-bodied, silky, and incredibly long, it's a world class Pinot Noir to drink over the coming decade.

The 2014 Chardonnay is fleshier and more forward than either the 2015 or 2013. It offers lots of white peach, pineapple, white flowers and buttered citrus aromas and flavors. With medium to full-bodied richness and a supple, forward, delicious style, it’s going to be hard to resist over the coming 4-6 years.

The 2013 Chardonnay is a blockbuster. Gorgeous aromatics of stone fruits, honeysuckle, buttered pineapple and hints of white flowers all flow to a rich, viscous, full-bodied wine that's the greatest Chardonnay I've tasted from the Santa Lucia Highlands (and is easily up with the best of California). With sensational minerality, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, bright acidity and a great finish, give bottles a year or two and enjoy through 2028.

The 98-case 2012 Chardonnay is another big, rich, unctuous beauty. Buttered pineapple, sautéed stone fruits, and honeycomb show in this sexy, layered Chardonnay that has terrific purity, nicely integrated acidity and a great finish. Despite its concentration and richness, it has purity and tension, and will have a decade or more of longevity.

The 2011 Chardonnay is also brilliant, with a Meursault-like richness and nuttiness. Apple, brioche, buttered stone fruits, toasted nuts and honeycomb emerge from this elegant, classic and mineral-laced chardonnay. It beautiful now, yet has plenty of life. There’s 110 cases made.

The first vintage for this cuvee, the 2010 Chardonnay is still light yellow in color and possesses sensational notes of buttered lemons, flowers, and exotic tropical fruits, with hints of brioche and caramelized fruits. Rich, concentrated, yet still light on its feet, it's a killer Chardonnay that has tons of life! Hats off to the Pisoni family for these incredible, age-worthy Chardonnays!