LIOCO is the result of a years-long conversation between Matt Licklider (a seasoned wine import specialist) and Kevin O'Connor (former wine director at Spago-Beverly Hills) about whether California could produce a true "wine of origin." Inspired by traditional European winegrowing practices, they sought out vineyard sites with tougher soil, older vines, and some stress-producing aspect (altitude, extreme temperature, poor soil, etc). Under winemaker John Raytek of Ceritas, the grapes are shepherded from bud to bottle in the least intrusive way possible producing some of the most focused, balanced Chardonnay and Pinot Noir coming from such storied vineyards as Hirsch, Demuth, and Hanzell.
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California » Sonoma County
Notes It finally rained in 2017. It rained all the way through the Spring. The parched California soils were recharged, and the vines got the
Lioco's 2016 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is brilliant, focused and nuanced, with plenty of citrus, lemon peel, white pepper and orchard fruit nuances. This is one
Wine & Spirits 96 "Lioco winemaker John Raytek blended this from two sites planted on sandy Goldridge soil: Teac Mor, a low-lying vineyard near the Laguna
Lioco's 2015 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is brilliant, focused and nuanced, with plenty of citrus, lemon peel, white pepper and orchard fruit nuances. This is one
Antonio Galloni 89 "The 2013 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is absolutely delicious. Apricot pit, peach, honey, mint and chamomile flesh out in a bold, racy Chardonnay to
Stephen Tanzer 90 "(from fruit grown in five different vineyards and made "with lots of small, individual ferments" and no new oak): Pale gold.
Stephen Tanzer 91 "Pale yellow. Pungent, spice-accented aromas of orange pith and yellow apple, with a touch of honey adding depth. Juicy, palate-coating orchard
Stephen Tanzer 92 "(made with 25% whole clusters): Bright ruby. Sexy, spice- and floral-accented aromas of raspberry and cherry, with a bright mineral note
Stephen Tanzer 92 "Bright ruby-red. High-pitched aromas and flavors of fresh red berries, floral pastilles and spicecake, with a hint of blood orange coming up
Stephen Tanzer 90 " Green-tinged yellow. Assertive, mineral-accented aromas of fresh pear and tangerine, with a suave floral topnote. Supple and broad on entry,
Wine & Spirits 94 "This is Lioco's fifth vintage working with fruit from David Hirsch's far-coast vineyard, the vines planted on a series of ridgetops, 3.5
Vinous Media 93 "Lemon peel, white flowers, white pepper and mint open up in the 2013 Chardonnay Russian River Estero. The flavors are bright and lifted,
Vinous Media 88 "Lioco's 2014 Chardonnay (Sonoma County) is brilliant, focused and nuanced, with plenty of citrus, lemon peel, white pepper and orchard fruit nuances. This
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