ROAR Pinot Noir "Sierra Mar" 2022
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [TWI 95] [WE 94] [VM 93] [WS 93] [JD 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 - The Wine Independent:
"The 2022 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir is medium ruby-purple in color. Perfumed notes of lavender, fertile loam, and kirsch jump from the glass, plus nuances of iris bulb and graphite with a touch of wild sage. The medium to full-bodied palate is delicately played with lovely tension and fine-grained tannins supporting the crunchy red berry layers, finishing with a real skip in its step." - LPB (Feb 2024)

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Lovely layers of black cherry-laced cream, exuberant rose petal and hibiscus jelly draw the nose through hints of mace and star anise on the nose of this bottling. The palate is coated in silky textures and lush flavors of baked fruit, baking spice and toasty pastries." - Matt Kettmann (Sep 2024)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard opens with a rush of blood orange, purple berries and iodine. Initially soft-textured and accessible, chalky tannins immediately come into play as the 2022 withdraws back into itself. This is a little coiled up today—give it a year in bottle to relax a bit." - Billy Norris (Aug 2024)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Plump, juicy and expressive, with boysenberry and loganberry compote notes bouncing through, flecked with anise, hibiscus and red tea accents along the way. The light-handed toast lets everything play out nicely on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 574 cases made." - James Molesworth (Sep 2024)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard falls slightly in the middle, style-wise, of the single vineyards. It's slightly richer than the Rosella's yet not as dark as either the Garys' or Soberanes. Beautiful red, blue, and black fruits, spring flowers, and baking spice notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium-bodied on the palate and nicely concentrated, with the more forward, supple style of the vintage. It's a charmer that's ready to go, yet it should keep nicely through 2032 or so." (Aug 2024)