If you want to get a feel for the quality of an estate, their base appellation level cuvee is a good place to start. In this case, Lucia's 2014 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is a perfect example of the incredible quality that's consistently coming from this estate. A blend of the Pisoni, Garys' and Soberanes vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands, this plump, forward, concentrated and downright sexy beauty isn't for those craving lightweight aromas and flavors and is almost bursting at the seams with notions of framboise, wild strawberries, spice and crushed flowers. A rich, powerful wine, it has medium to full-bodied richness, impeccable balance and a core of sweet fruit that just begs you to take another sip. Buy a case of this hedonistic beauty and drink it over the coming 4-5 years.

Coming from the Soberanes, Garys’ and Pisoni vineyards, the 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands has an un-2012 level of concentration and richness, yet it stays seamless and elegant on the palate. Possessing a ripe bouquet of blackberry, toasted spice, ground herbs and tinges of minerality, it’s an impressive Pinot Noir that will have upward of a decade of longevity.