The 2022 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is a terrific representation of the appellation. It’s fruit-forward and textured, with ripe cherry and redcurrant fruit as well as some spicy wood and dried flower notes. This medium-bodied, round, supple, sexy 2022 is perfect for drinking over the coming 4-6 years or so.

This blend of some of the top vineyards in all of California is always a wise investment. Aromas of red cherry and plum meet with sagebrush on the nose, while the palate brings a creamier cherry flavor alongside toasty baking spice and cookie crumble elements. — Matt Kettmann

As with the regional Chardonnay bottling, the 2022 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands punches well above its weight and offers a more slender, stylistically refreshing expression of Pinot Noir with less of a winemaking imprint. The nose is high-toned and energetic, offering the signature red-fruited profile typical to this lineup. The palate is slender within the context of the house style, with a soft, elegantly saturated finish and a pleasant touch of tannic grip. - Matthew Luczy

The 2022 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is mainly a blend of Rosella's, Garys', and Sierra Mar vineyards with a bit of Pisoni and Sobranes. Medium ruby-purple in color, it shoots from the glass with gregarious notes of black raspberries, mulberries, and Bing cherries leading to touches of lavender oil, spearmint, and wild thyme. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with vivacious red and black fruits supported by soft tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and berry-laced.

Medium in body, fresh and driven, the 2022 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) is pretty forward in its red-fruited profile, but it also possesses a core of stern, rocky minerality. An enticing air of highlands herbs and sweet lavender adds further intrigue. Juicy, sweet raspberry, clove and a kick of toasty French oak sweetness make the 2022 an inviting choice for drinking over the next several years. -- Billy Norris