Teresa S

9.2

The only Pinot I like. So fruity and delicious. Doing a bang up job with this white bean/tomato stew. — 6 years ago

with Andy

Andy Hock

9.1

Tart red cherry and undertones of spicy oak vanilla/campfire. Super smooth mid body and lingering finish. Will balanced, good to age even further. Would like a bit more tannin. — 7 years ago

Richard Shepherd

9.2

Bright cranberry notes at the onset, settling into layers of mushroom, oak and empty cigar box. — 7 years ago

Erik Brown

10

One of our favorite Testatossa wines. This one is from the Gary Pisoni vineyard in Santa Lucia. Consistently good year after year. — 7 years ago

Davenport Edwards

9.3

Expensive. Total wine. Sweet side. Good — 8 years ago

Mat Falco

9.0

Very dry, mild. Slight peach pit. Would buy again for sure. — 8 years ago

Dan Braswell

9.0

2013 Chardonnay — 8 years ago

James Hayasaka

8.9

Sweet and mellow, this is my favorite Pinot so far. — 8 years ago

Brian Grech

9.2

So very Pinot. Not quite as good as I remember it, but still an excellent pour. — 9 years ago

with Ashley and John

Jeffrey Bragman

President at WINEPSYCH

9.1

2012 Soberanes PN — 9 years ago

Lauren Curtis

9.6

It's really nice, on its own or with a meal — 9 years ago

Malia H

8.9

Very smooth — 11 years ago

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. — 6 years ago

Big Sky Guy

9.6

This is a very great wine to share with a nice fire, some ski socks, long johns and a movie. I chose to watch "Taken 3" while I drank it. Great flick. Anyhoo, my good friend, Ali from Pakistan gave me several bottles as a wedding gift (he's a tech wizard from the Bay Area who does Crossfit). I am hoping he visits me soon so I can enjoy it with another human being. All in all, a very fine wine! — 8 years ago

Shaun McKinsey

8.9

Easy drinking Pinot, perfect with burgers and Cesar salad. — 9 years ago

with Jon

Peter Marks

Master of Wine, Educator Constellation Brands

9.0

Lots of finesse with a soft, supple finish. — 9 years ago

Kelsey Shaylor

9.7

Blend with Syrah, Cabernet — 11 years ago

with Kasey

Randy Boyd

9.2

Very good, smooth — 11 years ago

Rich Bluth

9.0

Lots of fruit. Wonderful from a historic vineyard. Thx Chuck and Kathy! — 6 years ago

Natalie Poon

9.7

Delicious, wish I had more! — 7 years ago

Steven Kahn

9.0

Best on the 3rd night — 7 years ago

Rich Bluth

9.0

Great Fruit with depth. Many thx Chuck!! Great with our Christmas Eve dinner — 7 years ago

Julie Tisnado

9.7

Love this wine — 8 years ago

Eric MacDonald

9.0

Nice plum and just enough earthiness — 8 years ago

Sean Herriott

9.1

This is singing right now with berry pie fruit and baking spices. Even though it's super ripe on the entry it finishes dry and with finesse. Hard to beat for the $20 asking price! — 8 years ago

Mads

9.1

Cool weather Pinot. Yum. — 8 years ago

Dan Ponce

9.0

Loved this wine at Jess's 40th and it became our party favor when we left. Enjoying the rest on our last Tahoe trip. — 9 years ago

Bill Burns

9.0

Very good, similar to testarossa — 9 years ago

Martin Crampton

9.0

These guys make delicious Chardonnay. Not too much oak, floral notes, and very well balanced. — 9 years ago

Keith Hughes

10

Really nice, robust Pinot...lots of plum flavor and aroma - in a really good way! — 11 years ago