Shay A

9.2

Earlier this week, a rep for Crown Point wines hosted a tasting to show off a few of their newer releases. New to me, they are out of Santa Barbara and have the duo of Adam Henkel (former assistant winemaker at Harlan for 8yrs) and Philippe Melka (who came on starting with the ‘15 vintage) making the wines.


This wine is their Estate Selection, which is 73% cab, 16% malbec and 11% merlot. I believe this was the first vintage for this wine. It sports a very soft profile and is made in a riper style. Aromatically it smells of baked boysenberry, fig and mixed berry pie with milk chocolate chips. The ABV is around 15.2% and it shows here. Extracted on the palate with chocolate covered dark fruits, baking spices, nutmeg and Andes mint. — 6 years ago

with Clare and Weston

Manchester Sheldon

9.0

Vanilla, cocoa nibs, red fruit, , and dusty earth with a super soft mouth feel. No tannins! Great finish! — 6 years ago

MRM

9.5

Part of the duo 1990s for tonight. Held its own against one of the best in the world. Still plenty of fruit. — 7 years ago

Bret Barker

9.0

Guys steak night bottle numero duo.. another solid napa cab. The most fruit forward of the bottles, not tannic, maybe too much fruit for me but hits well with the steak. — 8 years ago

Surveyor

9.3

Неожиданно. Пожалуй, лучшее из попадавшихся таманских красных. — 8 years ago

Sasha K.

8.9

2014. Отличный рислинг! Немного водоэмульсионки Тиккурилла Джокер, пинии на берегу Лигурийского моря, утренние круассаны, гроздья акации. Холодным сухое, теплым сладчает, кислотность низкая, с гребешками прекрасно, с ризотто стесняется. #Russia #Riesling — 9 years ago

Joanne Yeung

9.1

Smooth, light, not too sweet but has a delicate flavor. Slightly peppery finish. — 10 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2010. This will be awesome in a few years when the oak mellows a bit. Right now it was great with the lamb duo and smoked duck breast at V Mertz. — 10 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.4

Had a guest today at FF. Showed him the list of chards, to which he said "That one should be drinking well." And, voila. Here we are. This Sugar Shack Chardonnay arguably outdrank its 2014 Ritchie Chard by just about a point. A little less sweetness, a little less salinity, a little more balance than the Ritchie. Ripe peach, pear, plantain with a little bit of dried herb. It has been about 15 months since I've had this one. Lots of yellow fruits and that Classic Aubert backbone. You sorta forget about other Chards when a duo of 2014 Aubert are on the table, and this was no exception tonight. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 3 others

Anastasia

9.1

Not bad)очень не плохое саперави — 6 years ago

Erika Strong

9.3

Major ‘ship of this dynamic duo — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A wine I’ve enjoyed mostly upon release or near it. I vowed to wait six years and nearly made it. At least it is 2018...just! It’s worth waiting this/that long for it to develop. On the nose; sweetly, baked fruits of; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, and notes of blue fruits. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium, beautiful spice, black fruit tea, limestone minerals, loamy, dry, brown top soil, fresh dark florals and violets. The mouthfeel is full, rich & lush. The tannins are round, still have some teeth and possess velvety round edges. It’s fruit driven but not a bomb and showing elegance & grace. Fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, notes of blue fruits and dry cranberries dip in and out. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium beautiful spice that is more pronounced on the palate, black fruit tea, touch of melted brown sugar/molasses, limestone minerals, touch of rich dark sweet turned soil, loamy dry brown top soil, soft understated eucalyptus/mint, dry fresh florals and violets. The round acidity is just right, just a slight very small alcohol burn, the length, structure, tension and beautifully balanced finish are in a very good place. Even better in 2-3 more years in bottle; which is when I’ll have my next one. Photos of; the winemaking duo of Gary Franscioni (left) and Gary Pisoni, Rosella’s Vineyard on the right. As well as, Garys’ Vineyard at the bottom. Producer notes and history...The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is known for its rich, vibrant Pinot Noirs. However, that wasn’t always the case. The first Pinot was planted in 1973, but results weren’t all that great. Chardonnay was the appellation’s early star. Much of the area’s current fame for Pinot Noir arguably can be traced to Gary Pisoni, a free-spirited wine enthusiast who grew up in a Salinas Valley vegetable farming family. Pisoni decided to plant a few acres of Pinot Noir in 1982 on his family’s horse ranch, at the southern end of what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation but his horses started eating the grapes. So, they had to go. His initial planting were limited by a lack of water until he dug a well on the property. Pisoni started planting even more Pinot Noir. The vineyard is now around 45 acres and nearly all of it Pinot. By the late 1990s, word had spread about the success of his vineyard, and a number of Pinot specialists from around California had started lining up to buy his grapes. He started producing his own wine in 1998. Pisoni isn’t the only Gary who has become a force in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary Franscioni, a childhood friend, followed Pisoni’s lead by planting grapes and started Roar Wines in 2001. The two of them now have five vineyards between them...all farmed meticulously with the same crew. They are best of friends...sort of a Mutt & Jeff. They have become a formidable presence in the Highlands, attracting interest from top winemakers and Pinot Noir lovers from all over. Franscioni is also from a vegetable farming family; Pisoni figures they’ve known each other since they were 3 or 4. Franscioni saw his friend’s success and once he got some money together, decided to plant grapes of his own. Franscioni’s property is farther north and cooler as it’s closer to the Monterey Bay. He was going to plant Chardonnay. He woke up and Franscioni recalls imitating Pisoni, and shouted, “plant Pinot!” Franscioni planted what became Rosella’s Vineyard, named for his wife, in 1996. He took Pisoni’s advice and planted four acres of Pinot Noir, although he still planted 12 acres of Chardonnay. It’s now a total of around 50 acres with three-quarters of it Pinot Noir. The next year, they decided to become partners and planted Garys’ Vineyard, a 50 acre parcel where they grow Pinot and a little Syrah. Since then, Franscioni has developed Sierra Mar, 38 acres of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and a tiny amount of Viognier. The two teamed up again to establish Soberanes Vineyard, 35 acres of mostly Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Chardonnay and Syrah. That last vineyard was developed by Pisoni’s son Mark. The Garys might seem an unlikely pair. Pisoni is colorful character to say the least and has an outspoken manner. Franscioni comes across as more serious- minded. However, the collaboration between the two, who often address each other as “partner,” clearly works well. The two are good on their own, but better together. Pisoni being more gregarious acts as the frontman. He is the Ambassador. He’s a check on the rest to keep the quality high. Franscioni and Mark Pisoni run the farming on their own vineyards and work together on the joint ventures. The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Jeff Pisoni makes his family’s wines, which are under the Pisoni and Lucia brands. Franscioni’s son, Adam, joined the family business in time for the 2011 harvest. He handles sales for Roar and helps his father manage the vineyards. The grapes from all five vineyards are in huge demand, because the two families are such careful farmers, constantly tweaking and improving. Prominent customers include; Testarossa, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Copain and Bernardus. When a new vintner approaches them about buying grapes, the partners examine the winery’s track record and the Winemaker. If they like what they see, the winery is put on a waiting list. There’s not very much movement in their vineyards. When Franscioni planted Sierra Mar, he and Pisoni had 62 wineries waiting to buy fruit. Soberanes was developed with the idea of working with some new winemakers. There was some concern, even among the two families, that quality might suffer as the vineyard operations grew. However, there’s no indication that’s the case. In fact, with each new venture, they build on what they’ve learned in their older vineyards. Eventually, there will be even more vineyards. The Pisonis and Franscionis have purchased a 100 acre cactus farm in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There’s still a lease on the property. So, prickly pear cactus will continue to be grown for five more years. But at some point, the land will be planted with vines. Both families understand the importance of continuing to build for the future. The Garys looking back tell a story of being in the same spot some years ago and looking at a field of broccoli out back. He told Franscioni that the field would look a lot better with Pinot Noir vines. Now that parcel is part of Rosella’s Vineyard, and it’s planted with Pinot. Everybody thought he was crazy...most people usually think that when someone makes a bold decision. He’s a person who has always had vision and creativeness. He also has tremendous passion. Good things only happen when a person possesses all three of these qualities. Their wines are primarily available by mailing list. However, Nepenthe in Big Sur, CA acts as a quasi tasting room for some of their wines. — 8 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.2

Wonderfull duo from Le Macchiole. The Paleo (100% Cab Franc) is driven on horsepower and is quite intense while the Scrio (100% Syrah) is somewhat more elegant and smoother. Both fantastic wines! — 6 years ago

with Jeroen and Amanda

Brandon Becker

9.0

Post Libby’s celebrations — 6 years ago

with Sara

Jay Kline

9.5

This was a really fun follow up to the duo of 2010 Saint-Damien’s. Same consulting wine maker (P. Cambie). Consistent with my previous experiences with this wine, it was beguiling from the start. Lush, amazing example of Grenache with brambles for days and while that sounds like this is massively fruit forward (and it is) it’s just so pure that you can’t help but fall head over heals for it. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and this was my last bottle. Tremendous. — 7 years ago

Василий Куртц

9.0

Вот это вот без привкуса дешёвого столовняка уже.
Хороший многослойный мускусно-бочечно-ванильный аромат с уклоном в специи и нотки фиалки.
На вкус очень приятное, бархатное, с хорошим дружклюбным балансом, питкое. По ощущению, может ещё годик полежать с удовольствием. — 8 years ago

Lea Fortkamp

9.0

Drinkable red Meritage with good flavor. Perfect anynight wine. DFWF ‘17. — 8 years ago

Jesse Hahn

9.6

Cold smooth amazing wine — 8 years ago

Edward Nista

10

Division Wine - 2010 - Pinot Noir "UN". Old original vintage from a great DUO! — 10 years ago

Mitja Sirk

Production La Subida, Aceto Sirk

9.2

Great Friuli duo.. 89 Roseti and 94 Tiglio!! — 10 years ago