ROAR Pinot Noir "Garys' Vineyard" 2024
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [WE 96] [JD 95] [WP 95] [VM 94+] [JS 94]

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:
From a vineyard whose origins are rooted in friendship and foresight, this Pinot Noir delivers the depth and authority that has made the site legendary. Aromas of dense blackberry, cola, dark wood, and tobacco create an enveloping richness that draws you in. The medium-full palate is vibrant and layered, unfolding with black cherry, blackberry pastille, and savory undertones of leather. Lifted acidity and broad, supportive tannins carry the wine through a long, resonant finish, capturing the richness and gravitas that define this celebrated site.

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.

Clones: Pisoni, Calera
Oak: 100% French oak, 67% new
Aging: 10 months in barrel
Acid: 3.61 pH
Alcohol: 14.8%

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Generous and imminently approachable aromas of Bing cherries, rose bouquets and toasted fennel pollen draw the nose into this bottling from an iconic vineyard. The palate shows a crisp edge of cherry and lemon zest flavors, with light herb and elegant baking spice flavors contributing further complexity." -Matt Kettmann (Oct 2026)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Considered the most in-your-face of the vineyards, as even the family will tell you, the 2024 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is a huge-impact site of muscular intensity, with weight and pedigree, planted nearly all to the powerful Pisoni clone. Slatey, textural, and full-bodied, it exudes rich red berry and cherry fruit with spice components and focused, structured tannins, ending in notes of gravel and cola. Hold and drink 2028-2038." -Virginie Boone (Jun 2026)

95 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Palate:
"Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2024 Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir jumps from the glass with notes of juicy black cherries and blackberries, plus nuances of violets, anise, and tar. The full-bodied palate has a velvety texture and bags of freshness supporting the generous black fruit layers, finishing on a lingering anise note. Drinking Window: 2026-2038."

94+ Points - Vinous:
"The 2024 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is potent and brooding today. Chiseled tannins and compact, tense structure are the hallmarks. This is not nearly as showy as Garys' can be in its youth, but that is both the hallmark of the best SLH Pinot Noirs in 2024 and also a likely positive sign for the future. Dark spice, licorice and cocoa powder season the finish. Give this time. (Drink between 2028-2034)" -Billy Norris (May 2026)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Fresh red fruit, lead pencil, dried flowers and spices. The midweight palate offers fine-boned tannins, bright acidity and a taut, refined finish. Drink or hold." -Ryan Montgomery (Apr 2026)