ROAR Pinot Noir "Soberanes Vineyard" 2017
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [WE 96] [JD 94+] [VM 93] [WA 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.

Tasting Notes:
Juicy berries, leather, herbs, and chapparal are tell-tale flavors of this Pinot. Earth and herbs underly flavors of freshly picked, perfectly ripe red cherries and blackberries.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Aromas of mulberry, red cherry, cracked pepper, wild thyme and an earthy richness show on the dynamic nose of this bottling by the Franscioni family. There is a great bounce to the palate, with tart strawberry and plum flavors that mesh with accents of tangerine rind, marjoram and dried sage." -Matt Kettmann (Jul 2019)

94+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2017 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard (brought up in 74% new French oak) is another layered, balanced wine from this team. Strawberries, blueberries, spring flowers, and spicy notes all define the bouquet. Medium-bodied, with good acidity, ripe tannins, and a great finish, it has a tight, slightly closed style that makes me think it will benefit from a year in bottle." (Feb 2019)

93 Points - Vinous:
"Dark scarlet. A highly perfumed nose features scents of ripe red berries, potpourri and exotic spices, and vanilla, cola and smoky mineral notes build with air. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors and a suggestion of spicecake. Shows excellent delineation and floral lift on the gently tannic, mineral-tinged finish, which leaves behind a sexy raspberry liqueur note. (Drink between 2022-2029)" -Josh Raynolds (Nov 2019)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Pale to medium ruby, the 2017 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard offers up lovely aromas of baked marionberries, boysenberries, dried red cherries and cranberries with cinnamon stick, forest floor, orange peel, dried flowers and amaro accents. The medium-bodied palate demonstrates great restraint, with all that ripe, juicy fruit tempered by spicy, earthy accents, softly framed and fresh and finishing long and layered. 287 cases were made." -Erin Brooks (Feb 2020)