Somm 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. — 7 years ago

Marc Melser

9.3

After 4-5 hours of decanting, this wine was terrific. Dark fruit, some leather and a smooth finish. Vincenzo autographed the bottle. — 9 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.1

Wish I could have tasted that over the course of 2-3 hours. It was dark, dry, and brooding. A witch over the kettle. Perhaps it is tasting better now, but sadly the bottle she is empty. — 9 years ago

Robert Randich

10

Tomato, baking spice, dried black fruit, dusty
Well balanced, lush fruit, soft, black fruit, meaty, long fin — 10 years ago

Scott Heydt

9.1

Very enjoyable Brunello ...would buy again. — 10 years ago

Michael Ochsner

8.9

Bursting from the glass. Showing some oak but not overly. Full and balanced. Minerality and great fruit. — 10 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

Bonnie Levinson

9.8

Mature full body very fruity 2006 barbera de alba — 11 years ago

Lodovico Trentini

10

Splendido vino, complimenti all'azienda per i prezzi contenuti e la qualità altissima — 12 years ago

Martin Barrett

9.2

A very balanced wine. Wonderful stone fruits of underripe apricot and peach. More dense than other Vernaccia’s we have tried but with a clean brightness that we have come to expect. — 8 years ago

Kellen O'Grady

9.0

Light fruit, somewhat sweet, and refreshing. Excellent with fish or poultry. Would be excellent patio pounder. Drunk with Jesse and Corrine Poole. — 8 years ago

jerod peitsmeyer

9.4

i need more — 9 years ago

Matthew Tebbetts

9.1

The guy rating this prior would have given it higher marks if he had a clue. — 9 years ago

Ned Clark

8.9

Good but one dimensional — 9 years ago

Robert Randich

9.7

Dry, arid, dusty, forest floor, tomato
Dry, showy tannin, hefty, long fin, dusty, weighty, woodsy — 10 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 — 10 years ago

Christian McLeod

9.3

An absolute treat to have . Wish it lasted longer .. Delicious . — 10 years ago

with Thandi and Martin

Ben B

9.1

3013 VY. DOCG. Red fruit and spicy notes. — 10 years ago

Liam Doody

8.9

Rich and tasty. Soft tannins, very plush palate. A very good ripasso. — 11 years ago

Vincent Bottreau

9.4

Ready to drink — 12 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. — 8 years ago

Mike Kane

9.3

From the source. — 8 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. — 8 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 — 9 years ago

Nora Grossman

9.0

Took a risk with a dark pink rosé. — 10 years ago

Chris David

8.9

Inky with stewed fruit, chocolate and leather. Silky tannins and a delicious cab from the land of Malbecistan. — 10 years ago

Jason Sliwa

9.1

2006. Single vineyard. Held up well. Good balance of acidity and fruit. Another great recommendation from Eduardo! — 10 years ago

Maddie S

10

Sparkling, pear, and green apples. A dry wine that still tastes smooth. A very zen wine. — 10 years ago

Christoph Gerigk

10

JT super lecker — 11 years ago

Robert Mann

9.1

David Lynch recommendation — 11 years ago