ROAR Pinot Noir "Garys' Vineyard" 2022
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [WE 97] [VM 96] [TWI 94] [WS 93] [JD 93]
Regular price $100.00 Sale price $79.97 Save $20.03
About the Winery:
Gary and Rosella Franscioni started ROAR Wines with the knowledge that Pinot Noir had a shining future in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and a dream that their farming know-how would translate amazing grapes into amazing wines. Rosella’s Vineyard was planted on their home ranch in 1996, followed by Garys’ Vineyard in 1997 in partnership with the Pisoni family. The first vintage of ROAR was released in 2001, made from these two vineyards. From the beginning, Gary and Rosella’s mission was to make wines that they themselves would love to drink. Their approach was met with critical recognition almost immediately. Two more beautiful vineyards were planted about a decade later: Sierra Mar and Soberanes. Today, Gary and his sons continue to improve and innovate in the vineyards and winery to produce the best quality their land can create.
Notes from the Winemaker:
Leather, tobacco, and cola in a dense, masculine cloak of ripe dark berries makes one imagine sipping this in an old 19th-century library. This wine has a refined richness that stands out, and ages beautifully.
Ratings & Reviews
97 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"From a vineyard named after the region's pionering pair of Garys (Pisoni and Franscioni), this utterly satisfying bottling begins with aromas that blend umami-focused hints of soy, shiitake and smoke with fresh fruit and flower scents. Solidly chalky in texture, the palate delivers Bing cherry and pure blackberry flavors cut by a steady acidity." - Matt Kettmann (Sep 2024)
96 Points - Vinous Media:
"Hailing from one of the premier sites in the Santa Lucia Highlands, planted in 1996, the 2022 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is flat-out gorgeous. Beautifully rendered, it boasts generous fruit density, crystal-clear delineation of flavors and bracing structure. Fully destemmed, the 2022 finishes with a ton of persistence in its dark berry flavors, even darker cherry, black licorice and black sage. The 2022 leaves behind a fine web of powdery tannins, neatly wrapped up with a little bow on top, concentrated, effusive, and ready to rock. What a complete package. This may be the red wine of the vintage in the SLH." - Billy Norris (Aug 2024)
94 Points - The Wine Independent:
"Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2022 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir comes bounding out with eager-to-please scents of black cherry compote and juicy blackberries followed by hints of spice cake, fallen leaves, and tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam packed with black and red berry layers framed by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy." - LPB (Feb 2024)
93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A wave of juicy boysenberry and mulberry fruit splays out, with singed anise, sweet tobacco and fruitcake notes emerging through the flattering finish. For fans of the big fruit style. Drink now through 2030. 595 cases made." - James Molesworth (Sep 2024)
93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Black cherries, smoky darker fruits, iron, scorched earth, and black tea notes all emerge from the 2022 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard, one of the bigger, more fruit-forward examples of this release in some time. With medium to full body, lots of sweet fruit, and a round, opulent mouthfeel, it's perfect for drinking over the coming 5-7 years." (Aug 2024)