Miner Family Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 2023
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [JS 92] [WS 92] [JD 91] [DM 91]

About the Winery:
Miner is a dynamic family-owned winery tucked along the eastern hills of the Oakville appellation in the heart of Napa Valley. Founded in 1998 by Dave and Emily Miner, Miner Family Winery crafts reserve-style wines by sourcing fruit from Napa Valley and other specially selected California vineyards.

Our winemaking team uses a combination of old world winemaking techniques and modern technology to make wines that reflect the unique characteristics of individual vineyards or “terroir” where specific varietals grow best. This fusion of superb vineyard sites and thoughtful winemaking allows Miner to deliver elegant, expressive wines.

About the Wine:
Miner Family's 2023 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir is a single-vineyard expression of the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County. Made entirely from Pinot Noir, it combines generous dark fruit with spice and a rich, structured texture.

Vineyard: Garys' Vineyard is the collaboration of growers Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni. Its east-facing terraces overlook the Salinas Valley. Sandy loam soils drain freely, while Monterey Bay fog and steady winds support a long growing season. Miner uses the Pisoni clone for this bottling.

Winemaking: The producer's 2023 technical sheet records an October 9 harvest and maturation for 15 months in French oak, 60% new. Bottling took place June 12, 2025.

Tasting Profile & Food Pairings: Dark cherry and black raspberry meet floral tea, mocha, nutmeg and clove, with rich tannins and a persistent finish. Pair with roast poultry, pork, duck, earthy mushrooms or mild cheeses.

Technical Details: 750 mL; 100% Pinot Noir; 14.6% alcohol; pH 3.5.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points – James Suckling:
“Effusive spices, cherries and cream soda make for a rich, joyful nose that follows through to a palate of melted silk with flavors of dark cherries, cassis, mocha and cacao. A hint of incense at the end. Drink or hold.” (Jul 2025)

92 Points – Wine Spectator:
“A distinctive red, with a core of lightly blistered bitter cherry and damson plum fruit that’s also laced with singed mesquite and smoldering red tea. Focused and racy through the finish. Drink now through 2031. 2,018 cases made.” – James Molesworth (Jun 2026)

91 Points – Jeb Dunnuck:
“The powerful 2023 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard is somewhat tamed in this cooler year, revealing layers of juicy black cherry and supple tannins that are tremendously generous on the palate. Hints of mocha and clove add to the richness and lengthy spiciness of the wine, with 18 months of aging taking place in 60% new French oak. Garys’ seems to hold up to the oak well. Hold and drink 2028-2033.” – Virginie Boone (Jun 2026)

91 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A very ripe Pinot Noir from this cooler vintage coming from the iconic Garys’ Vineyard, planted by two Garys, one Pisoni and one Franchioni, in the late 1990s. Cola notes on the nose with ample red fruits and dashes of savoury mint, chaparral and salt. The palate courses with ripe fruits, and hints of savoury lavender, lilac and salt." - Clive Pursehouse (Feb 2026)