ROAR "Rosella's Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2023
(Santa Lucia Highlands, California) - [JD 96] [WE 96] [VM 94+] [JS 93] [WS 92]

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.

About the Vineyard:
Rosella’s Vineyard is the first property we planted to vine and is the northernmost of our vineyards. Planted in 1996, it wraps around the family home and is named for Rosella, Gary’s wife. Its rows of vines ascend from River Road up the hillside toward the mountain ridge, often laced with fog. Plush lemon trees flank its western edge. The sandy loam soil allows good drainage, encouraging deep vine roots that add complexity in the wines. Here we grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Our wines from Rosella’s Vineyard are known for their expressive aromatics and smooth suppleness on the palate.

Winemaker Notes:
Enveloped in morning fog and rooted around our family home, Rosella’s Vineyard gives rise to Pinot Noir of singular elegance and expressive detail. This vintage opens with layered red berry, cherry cream, and floral perfume, accented by jasmine tea and hints of leather. The medium-full palate is supple and textured, with a saline thread, subtle richness, and generous depth. A long, lifted finish lingers with the vineyard’s hallmark sensuality. 

Technical Notes:
Year Planted:  1996
Oak: 100% French oak, 62% new      
Aging: 10 months in barrel    
Alcohol: 14.7%
Acid: 3.65 pH  
Production:  455 cases made

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points – Jeb Dunnuck:
“Coming from a great site in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands, the 2023 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard displays a medium ruby hue and reveals a brilliant, Volnay-like perfume of sweet redcurrants, framboise, spring flowers, and damp, foresty earth. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and incredibly elegant on the palate, it has nicely integrated tannins and acidity, no hard edges, and a great finish. It shows the cooler, even, lengthy style of the vintage and will evolve gracefully over the coming decade.” (Apr 2025)

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Bold, lush, comforting and downright unctuous aromas of black cherry, cola and mint show on the inviting nose of this single-vineyard expression from the Franscioni family. The rich palate pairs maraschino and luxardo cherry flavors with chai and cappuccino elements." — Matt Kettmann (Oct 2025)

94+ Points – Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard—always the last vineyard that ROAR harvests—is floral and lifted, with fabulous saline energy and deep minerality. In this vintage, the tannins are more prominent than usual and need some time to integrate. Chaparral herbs lend tons of intrigue on the spicy, tense finish. Give this a couple of years to settle in.” – Billy Norris (Jul 2025)

93 Points – James Suckling:
"Cracked peppercorn, rare meat, black licorice and plum aromas are both Rhone-like and rooted in the sunny character of SLH. Naturally amplified acidity makes for a bracing mouthfeel, and the chewy tannins frame five spice, bouquet garni and plum flavors with elegance and power. Drink or hold.” (Jul 2025)

92 Points – Wine Spectator:
"Showing alluring flavors of boysenberry and mulberry compote lined with singed anise, iris and briar notes, this doesn’t pull any punches on the full, juicy and fruit-laden finish either. Drink now through 2028. 455 cases made.” – JM (Dec 2025)