Lucas & Lewellen Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County 2021
Overview
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Aromas include dried cherries, rose petals, and a hint of dark chocolate. Sultry tannins and balanced acidity support flavors of cola, lavender, exotic spice, and just a trace of vineyard terroir in a lasting finish. |
Wine Facts
VITICULTURE: Originally planted from cuttings brought over from Europe over 40 years ago, Lucas & Lewellen’s Los Alamos vineyard offers thick layers of clay and loam soils coupled with a temperate climate to provide ideal grape- growing conditions for Rhone, Burgundian, Bordeaux, and Italian Varieties. Along the acclaimed Foxen Wine Trail, the cool-climate Goodchild Vineyard consistently produces prize-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The soils vary from clay and gravel river deposits to hillside and hilltop sites reminiscent of the great vineyards of Burgundy.
VINIFICATION: Following traditional fermentation methods, the Pinot Noir is ultimately barrel-aged for 10 months in 31% new French oak.
FAMILY: Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen were friends before they were ever business partners. One of their common interests was their love of Santa Barbara County. Louis had been a successful grape grower for many years, and had the reputation to match, while Royce was a judge and dreamer who imagined what Santa Barbara could be as a wine region. They banded together to create Lucas & Lewellen Wines. Today, Michael Lewellen, Royce’s son, is the managing partner, making Lucas & Lewellen a second-generation family-owned winery. The Lucas & Lewellen vineyards have become legendary for lovers of premium wines from Santa Barbara County since 1975.
Santa Barbara’s topography is unlike any other wine region. The east-west orientation of the mountain range forms a valley opening directly to the Pacific Ocean. That cool ocean breeze is a hallmark of the Santa Barbara climate, and one that Louis and Royce wanted to highlight in their wines. They acquired the three vineyards that have myriad microclimates, from cool Santa Maria Valley to moderate Los Alamos Valley, known for fresh and vibrant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to warmer Santa Ynez Valley, which produces stellar Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
VINIFICATION: Following traditional fermentation methods, the Pinot Noir is ultimately barrel-aged for 10 months in 31% new French oak.
FAMILY: Louis Lucas and Royce Lewellen were friends before they were ever business partners. One of their common interests was their love of Santa Barbara County. Louis had been a successful grape grower for many years, and had the reputation to match, while Royce was a judge and dreamer who imagined what Santa Barbara could be as a wine region. They banded together to create Lucas & Lewellen Wines. Today, Michael Lewellen, Royce’s son, is the managing partner, making Lucas & Lewellen a second-generation family-owned winery. The Lucas & Lewellen vineyards have become legendary for lovers of premium wines from Santa Barbara County since 1975.
Santa Barbara’s topography is unlike any other wine region. The east-west orientation of the mountain range forms a valley opening directly to the Pacific Ocean. That cool ocean breeze is a hallmark of the Santa Barbara climate, and one that Louis and Royce wanted to highlight in their wines. They acquired the three vineyards that have myriad microclimates, from cool Santa Maria Valley to moderate Los Alamos Valley, known for fresh and vibrant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to warmer Santa Ynez Valley, which produces stellar Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Producer: Lucas & Lewellen
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14%
Total Acidity: 0.58 G/L
pH: 3.66
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
Country: United States
Wine Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14%
Total Acidity: 0.58 G/L
pH: 3.66
Press Highlights
2021: 91 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Sept 20232018: 92 Pts ‘Best Buy’ - Wine & Spirits Spring Print Edition, Feb 2022
2018: 91 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2020
2018: 90 Pts - Wine Spectator, May 2021
2017: 90 Pts ‘Editor's Choice’ - Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2019
2015: 90 Pts ‘Editor's Choice’ - Wine Enthusiast, July 2018