Pisoni tasting at USQ Wines

This was a tasting event at Union Square Wines; Gary and Jeff Pisoni were both in attendance and very friendly and fun to talk to. Wines were not divided into flights strictly, but rather different tables at which they were being poured. Wines are listed in the order I tasted them - the syrah was part of table 1 but I left it for last.

• 2007 Luli Chardonnay

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  green pear on nose; tart on palate too - a little sauv blanc-like.

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• 2008 Pisoni Family Vineyards Lucy Rosé of Pinot Noir

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Ok, a bit bitter; not that into it.

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• 2006 Lucia Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Pretty strawberry on nose; on palate, a bit thin and shorter than expected considering the nice nose. A sweet note lingers on the finish. 88+

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• 2005 Lucia Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Similar to 06 SLH; slightly deeper strawberry on nose; slightly bitter on palate.

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• 2006 Pisoni Pinot Noir Estate 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Pretty - sweeter fruit here than the Lucias - a little more candied on the nose. More depth on the palate, longer finish.

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• 2005 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Fuller, richer nose than the Pisoni wines, with lovely earth. On the palate, a bit thin and sour - flavor that I can only liken to the taste of children's aspirin. I retasted this again at the end of the tasting to check my palate, with similar results (from the same bottle, is likely). A 92pt nose but 87 palate.

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• 2003 Lorca Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  bit of band-aid on the nose; smooth on the palate, a bit creamy. a nice surprise, didn't know of this producer previously; possibly best wine of the tasting. 91+

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• 2006 Capiaux Cellars Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Light and fresh and a bit floral on the nose; unctuous on the palate but too sweet for me - a bit saccharine. Nice if you like a full, ripe style, but not for me. 90+ nose, 88 palate.

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• 2005 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Rich, ripe nose; smooth on palate with medicinal cherry note, savory notes of soy sauce, etc. and a bitter finish.

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• 2005 Lucia Syrah Susan's Hill 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Nose a bit reticent; spicy black pepper and dark cherry fruit on the palate.

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Overall, the wines were a bit on the raisiny, baked side for me. Good wines, but I wanted to like them more than I actually did, especially for the price level, where I was hoping for a bit more depth. I do wonder if the winemakers have dialed back towards more acidity in subsequent vintages - a bit more freshness would be welcome to my palate too.