Roar Pinot Noir "Sierra Mar" 2021
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [WE 95] [JD 94] [VM 93] [WS 93]

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:
Dark mountain berries and spice dominate this Pinot, with a stream of fine minerality snaking through. Wild, savory elements interplay with plump fruit flavors. A delicate, yet mysterious red that plays well with many cuisines. Our adventurous maverick, the first to jump into the pool or off the cliff. But don't be fooled, this explorer is complex and sensitive, a deeply layered original.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Juicy black cherry and boysenberry aromas are generous on the nose of this single vineyard expression, with waves of wet soil and crushed slate adding a mineral nuance. The lush palate of Luxardo cherry and a spice rack of flavors is wrapped in grippy tannins that elevate this wine to the upper echelon." - Matt Kettmann (Sep 2023)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Another pretty, perfumed wine in the vintage, the 2021 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard has ripe strawberry and framboise-like fruit as well as ample background spice and dried herb nuances, and it gains a darker, floral edge with time in the glass. Medium-bodied on the palate, with nicely integrated oak, velvety tannins, and just a round, supple mouthfeel, it's drinking beautifully today and will be drinking beautifully in another 7-8 years as well. (Drink between 2023-2031)" (Sep 2023)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard is a wild wine. Strong mineral and savory notes are front and center, while the fruit is more pushed into the background. This potent, driving Pinot will need a year or two to soften, but I expect it will always be rather forbidding. (Drink between 2023-2033)" - Antonio Galloni (Nov 2023)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Ripe and with nice range, offering wood spice, incense, black and red tea and mulled plum and raspberry fruit notes that meld together through a lengthy finish. Reveals nice underlying freshness, too. 617 cases made." - James Molesworth (Sep 2023)