Lussier, “Roma’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California 2019 (750mL)

From combat tours in the sweltering Middle East to touring cool-climate vineyards in Anderson Valley, it’s safe to say GW Lussier began a drastic career in 2015. Having left the military and returned to California, his first foray into wine was an internship with Palhmeyer, which then led to a gig with famed Williams Selyem. What do you do after working with some of the world’s greatest Pinot Noirs? Try your own hand, of course! So, Lussier looked north to Mendocino, specifically high-elevation sites in Anderson Valley, and released his first eponymous label in 2020. 

Give Lussier’s 2019 “Roma’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir a 45-minute decant, and it’ll start emitting gorgeously high-toned aromatics of wild strawberry, pomegranate, redcurrant, damp rose petal, goji berry, crushed rock, orange peel, mountain herbs, and whiffs of spiced plums. On the palate, this medium-bodied Pinot is lifted and perfumed (thanks to a cool, high-altitude origin) and its red-berry flavors so pure and poised (thanks to organic dry farming and minimal cellar intervention). It has a buoyant and constantly swirling core of crushed minerals and baking spice that integrate beautifully with the fine-grained tannins and lifted acidity at play. The finish is long and broad while expertly avoiding saturation and excess ripeness. It’s an absolute knockout. Serve around 60 degrees in your largest Burgundy stems and enjoy your bottles over the next 5-7 years. Cheers!