Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

First winery on day two in Sonoma was Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa with Meredith. First red up was the Two Brothers Pinot Noir which comes from four separate vineyards in Sonoma County; 41% from Steiner Ranch, 26% from Walker Vine Hill, 21% from Devoto and 12% from Perli. Namesake is for the two sons, Tripp and Cushing. Aged for 18 months in 17% new French oak. 1,630 cases produced.

Medium garnet red with some ruby in the core. A touch of greenery on the nose with some twigs and strawberries. A touch of tobacco and cedar too. Medium acidity (6.5/10) with a light plus to medium body. Layered palate with notes of cinnamon, violet, white pepper, plums and a touch of mushrooms. Medium plus finish with a little bit of iron coming through. Drink till 2021.

$$ - Tasted at the winery. Retail price is $55.00. — 8 years ago

with India

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

It's simply Cabernet gold. You'll be hard pressed to find a Napa Cabernet better than this one...bar none! Including cult cab's! Look up mouth harmony in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of this bottle. Chuck is so selective in his fruit for his Cabernets, he's only made four times in fifteen years. — 10 years ago

Russ Bus

9.3

Gravelly rocky vyard with old scrub waist-high vines. Benito Dusi Ranch farmed by Benito since 1940s (older brother Dante owned vyard twice as big and half as old.... Turley/four vines/J.Dusi origins). Oldest vines in Paso. First winery to put "PasoRobles" on a wine label est 1969 (not officially AVA until ten years later in the 80s) so keep it as appellation for historical purposes even though it's a single vineyard. 3 miles south of 101. 25acres/92-years old planted in 1922. Head trained, 2.6t/a. Purple floral nose; Dark, brooding, black fruit, molasses, tar, and barrel spice on the palate. Robust well knit tannin. — 10 years ago

Daisy Cisneros

9.0

Fruitful, balance finish — 11 years ago

Maria Pepe

9.3

Wonderful pairing with fresh strawberries with real balsamic vinegar. — 11 years ago

Michelle Rupp

9.5

Very drinkable merlot. Not too bitter or complex. — 11 years ago

Trevor Miller

9.0

Lovely balanced blend that has the best characteristics of all four varieties. Go get yourself some. — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

8.9

This is part f the four sisters portfolio of wines from geelong — 12 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.2

Enjoyed this over four nights - still going strong. Whiff of petrol on the nose, Meyer lemon, minerality and strong acidity on the palate. 11.1% ABV. Score another one for the San Diego J Brix team! — 12 years ago

Matthew McDowell

9.4

Dry, buttery, honeyed — 13 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

Roger Carrillo

9.1

Opaque, dark rich color. Hints of blackberry and blueberry fruit. Smooth, slightly sweet, very low alcohol late harvest. Pairs well with Turkish Chocolate Coffee cake. — 11 years ago

Michael Smith

8.9

Best rosé from Étude in at least the last four vintages. — 12 years ago

Geoffrey Clapp

10

"Four" back property home ranch lot #4 - pure Rutherford dust. Awesome — 12 years ago

Martin Kelly

9.7

Great value, best sav blanc I've had in ages! — 13 years ago

Joscelyn

9.6

Has a sweet tart after taste...so weird but I liked it — 9 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

8.9

Decent Syrah. Well rounded, peppery. — 9 years ago

Tom Jevert

9.6

At Copper Rock restaurant inside Four Winds Casino. Smooth and almost Zin-like taste. Fruity w/pepper and finishes on the same level. Wonderful !!! — 10 years ago

Holly Hendershot

10

By far my favorite red blend. A perfect semi-dry. — 10 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.4

Three sisters vinyard. Extremely sexy juice — 10 years ago

Gordon Smouther

9.4

Served 2009, 2010 and 2011 dry farmed estate Pinot noir with home made beef burgione with four friends. The 09 and 11 have great depth and complexity. The 2011 is just coming into age. The 2010 was also excellent with a great fruit forward experience but not quite the depth and complexity of the other two years. — 11 years ago

with Linda

Andrew Benn

9.2

Was the boldest of four in a Chard flight at wine group
Though it was the only wine from a winery that was not Chard-famous, it really held up
Wish I had had a grilled ahi filet to put with it — 11 years ago

Dorsey Weikert

9.1

Semi sweet for good — 12 years ago

DAL 9000

9.0

Initial aroma of dirt or soil! Immediate taste of merlot_ ish. With almost a green pepper initial flavor. The four of us are torn on this one. BUT. much better after swirling. — 12 years ago

Roz Hong

9.7

Four star. Smooth. Rich. Petit Syrah — 13 years ago

Shannon Roberts

9.5

Three sisters red zin! Yep thumbs up — 14 years ago