David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

On the nose; dark currants, stewed styled blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blueberries top nose, black raspberries, strawberries haunt here & there, semi-sweet tarry notes, dark chocolate, dry clay, loamy dry top soil, leather, lead pencil shavings, cedar, black tea, decayed red florals with fresh violets.

The palate is full bodied. Tannins rounded, dusty and 40% resolved. The structure is still big & bold, tension tight, balance is getting there and the length is in a good place with better evolution ahead. Dark currants, stewed styled blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blueberries top nose, black raspberries, strawberries haunt here & there, semi-sweet tarry notes, dark chocolate, hint of mocha powder, vanilla, medium spice, dry stems, bay leaf, dry black turned earth, dry clay, loamy dry top soil, leather, lead pencil shavings, cedar, black tea, decayed red florals with fresh violets. The acidity is a little light but not bad. The long, drier, balanced finish is developing but needs another 5-8 years to reveal its best self.

Photos of; Owner Michel Bortolussi, small barrel room & Chateau Lucia exterior.

Producer notes and history...the owner of Lucia, Michel Bortolussi, got his start in the Bordeaux wine business selling equipment needed to make wine to all the top producers and winemakers in Bordeaux.
However, his strongest customer base were the numerous Chateau’s located in the Saint Emilion. Michel Bortolussi knee that if so many of his customers could produce great wine, he could as well. One of his best clients was wine consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt. That relationship was the start of Chateau Lucia.

Before Bortolussi and Stephane Derenoncourt teamed up to create Chateau Lucia. The wine was formally sold under the name of Chateau Lucie before Michel Bortolussi changed the name to Lucia.

The first vintage for Lucia was made in 2001. In 2012, Chateau Lucia was sold to Enzo Ide, a Belgian businessman.

Enzo Ide has retained the same technical team for their Right Bank vineyards and wine making. Enzo Ide also owns another vineyard, Chateau La Rousselle in the Fronsac appellation.

The 4.3 hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Chateau Lucia is planted to 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

Lucia has some of the oldest vines in Bordeaux. In fact, some of the vines date all the way back to 1901. They also have two other sections of vineyard with vines that are on average 30 years of age.

The younger vines are situated close to Chateau Monbousquet. Those vines are planted in more of the sandy terroir with some clay in the soils. Overall, the vineyard has a terroir of clay and limestone soils. The vines are planted to a vine density of 5,500 vines per hectare.

There is a lot of intensive labor that takes place at Chateau Lucia. To produce Chateau Lucia, the berries are harvested by hand. The fruit is sorted twice before fermentation. The grapes are whole berry fermented in small open-top, oak tanks that range in size from 30 to 50 hectoliters.

Everything in the small cellars is moved by gravity. Malolactic fermentation takes place in french oak barrels. The wine is aged on its lees in an average of 60% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 18 months, depending on the character and quality of the vintage.

The production of Lucia is small at about 1,250 cases depending on what the vintage gives.

The 09 while tasty after opening up over an hour, still needs another 6-8+ years in bottle to be all it can be. Drink 2024-33. — 6 years ago

Matt Trader

9.3

Finally! Barolo at last. Nothing is like Nebiolo from Barolo in the glass, especially one that has had time to mature. The color wants to say, "I'm mature Burgundy!", but the rest of the wine says otherwise.
The nose is unique, with the unmistakable aroma of fresh rose petals, followed by cigar ash, red apple skin, wet pine needles, and tar.
This wine was decanted for 4 hours before consumed, and the tannins were as gripping as if I just opened it and poured it. The juice exhibited notes of sour dark cherries, raspberry tart, black tea, rose water, bay leaf, and a faint smoke tinge, all stretched out evenly through the lingering finish. Twas a true treat, and yet this puppy could have laid down to rest for another 15 years, still singing of its youth.
I paired this with what I made for dinner: Pan seared Bison Loin, with a cognac shallot sauce, and sautéed mushrooms, with steamed kale and garlic cloves.
Perfection.

$49.99 — 8 years ago

James Tickel

9.5

Super pumped to open this wine! Leathery, floral and soft cherry nose. Well balanced finished with a zing at the end. Could age for another 5+ years. Thank you Enzo! — 9 years ago

Robert Randich

9.8

Subtle, supple, black pepper, dried blank fruit
Dry, woodsy, showy tannin, dried black fruit, young, chewy — 9 years ago

Jason Sliwa

9.1

2006. Single vineyard. Held up well. Good balance of acidity and fruit. Another great recommendation from Eduardo! — 9 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

10

An early Enzo, with wild fruit, chocolatey oak, sweet licorice and spice flavors. Super-intense and complex, layered finish. 98/100 p. — 10 years ago

Bonnie Levinson

9.8

Mature full body very fruity 2006 barbera de alba — 10 years ago

Lodovico Trentini

10

Splendido vino, complimenti all'azienda per i prezzi contenuti e la qualità altissima — 11 years ago

Michael Falk

9.2

Very mineral at this stage, cleans the palate like a rhine riesling. Love enzo — 6 years ago

Michael Park

9.1

This one surprised me. It was big and fruity with a structured, long lasting finish. Definitely one of the better Malbec's I've had. — 7 years ago

Sonia Ross

9.5

Pre-December dinner wine. This is a traditional Dolcetto. Winemaker trained Enzo. — 7 years ago

Matthew Tebbetts

9.1

The guy rating this prior would have given it higher marks if he had a clue. — 8 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.8

Labelled 16% by vol; I wonder if Enzo has lost his mind? Nope, still a mastermind! Rich and decadent but at the same time layered and interesting.with brooding fruit and while opulent not, it possesses an underlying structure. Airy. Yes, airy too! — 8 years ago

Robert Randich

9.7

Dry, arid, dusty, forest floor, tomato
Dry, showy tannin, hefty, long fin, dusty, weighty, woodsy — 9 years ago

Chris David

8.9

Inky with stewed fruit, chocolate and leather. Silky tannins and a delicious cab from the land of Malbecistan. — 9 years ago

Michael Amoruso

9.0

Smooth black raspberries. — 9 years ago

Jordan Salcito

Sommelier/Wine Director Momofuku, Vintner Bellus Wines

9.5

Imani's Chardonnays are reminiscent of Meursault. Enzo is a master. — 10 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

10

A special bottle given to Elsa Vare by Enzo pontoni (Miani vigneron), we visited the vineyard whose name is written in the label--one of the magic wine moments. Pure salinity. — 10 years ago

Vincent Bottreau

9.4

Ready to drink — 11 years ago

Marc vanholst

9.5

Enzo Pontoni made something really solid here - blind you think this is a great Burgundy white. Not many Italian whites can touch the level which Miani delivers !
# — 6 years ago

Andrew Mecoli

9.0

This vintage is darker and more concentrated than in the past, and at 14,5%, this is not your standard rose'. Raspberry, strawberry, an overall smoky/earthy feel, and minimal funk for a natural wine. A touch of sweetness shows up on the finish. Consistently good, year after year. — 7 years ago

jerod peitsmeyer

9.4

i need more — 8 years ago

Piet Sanders

9.1

heel lekker fruitig enzo 👍👍👍 — 8 years ago

Ned Clark

8.9

Good but one dimensional — 8 years ago

Nora Grossman

9.0

Took a risk with a dark pink rosé. — 9 years ago

Tim Duarte

8.9

Lovely nose. Medium to medium plus concentration. Nice berry and sage notes. Lovely mouthfeel where tannins just blend in beautifully — 9 years ago

Christian McLeod

9.3

An absolute treat to have . Wish it lasted longer .. Delicious . — 9 years ago

with Thandi and Martin

Liam Doody

8.9

Rich and tasty. Soft tannins, very plush palate. A very good ripasso. — 10 years ago

Robert Mann

9.1

David Lynch recommendation — 11 years ago

Joe Olson

10

Amazing wine! Had it with a pepper steak. — 12 years ago