Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

Better than my first bottle last June.
Parker 95 Wine Maker notes,


Derek Mossman began Garage Wine Company at a time when there were relatively few smaller, family owned wineries in Chile. He not only started his venture to produce hand made wines on a human scale, but also to buy fruit from and support farmers with great quality fruit throughout the country. Along the way, he also banded together a group of like minded wineries to create MOVI, a platform to promote smaller production wineries in Chile.

Tantalizing aromas of blueberries, violets, orange peel, raspberry leaf and aniseed with a touch of aromatic herbs that provide freshness. The palate is electric, with pulsing acidity, ultra-fine tannins and very good length. Both rustic and elegant, wild and subtle, it has precision, elegance, balance and life. Shows no alcohol nor wood. A fresh, Mediterranean blend from a vineyard that was forgotten, revived, regenerated and today shows what the Maule is capable of. — 5 years ago

Elliott Skorupa

8.9

Fantastic fruity top note, light bodied, great finish. Absent on tannins, soft on pallet, would definitely buy again. — 6 years ago

Bryan Hopkins

9.4

Clean aromas of licorice, mint, and rice porridge. Licorice and sweet rice pudding on the taste with white chocolate. Like a dessert. Refreshing, the banana note present in lower end sakes is absent. Unique and delicious. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Let me be there first to say that I have always struggled to appreciate Pinot Noir, regardless of origin. That being said, I try to remain open minded so as not to miss out on something that could, perhaps, change my perspective. This may very well be one of those wines that I look back on and say, "that was it...that was the moment I experienced a glimpse of what PN was capable of." Slow-ox'd for about an hour before dinner and then drank over the next several hours; seemingly gaining momentum as time went by. Once in the glass, I was greeted with intoxicating aromas of crushed Marionberries, something wonderfully floral (roses???) and a touch of ever-so-slight barnyard funk. On the palate it was mouthwatering raspberries, a bit of strawberry, minerals and a mushroom thing that caught me by surprise but was absolutely charming. Long-ish finish. This seems built to last with ample structure and while it's quite delightful now, I can only imagine what pleasure these could bring once they begin taking on more secondary characteristics. Tannins are firm but not overpowering. Acid enough to pair beautifully with boeuf bourguignon. This was a humbling experience with Pinot Noir and one I'll look forward to again in the future. Bravo. — 8 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

Matt

9.6

This is gorgeous. Kicked the rating up a notch after tasting on day two. Rich, vinous, old-school minded with its oxidative upbringing. Apparently a cool site with his oldest vines, this has tremendous grace give the ripeness of the vintage. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

A good wine. But on the heels of the Hobbs Winery 2014 CS, this one just didn't stand a chance and kind of put things into perspective a little bit. Might I have given this a 93 or 94 if the Hobbs hadn't spoiled it? That's very possible. This one still had a terrific blackberry core, and some hints of cola, iodine, black licorice. Was still very nice and balanced. The intensity wasn't there, and the complexity was a little absent as well. It was a bit out of balance, as it was very complex up front and seemed to fade towards the rear. IMO the tannin on this wine is still quite present. Does it need a couple more years for integration? Very likely. Does it have the potential to be a 98? No. But 94 is quite possible. Just not today. Drink 2023-2030 — 6 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.1

Very good, budget-minded Bordeaux. Perfect w grilled filet. Even stood up to a vinegar chimichurri.
Feels more of Cabernet family than merlot, with slightly leafy dark fruit and a hint of herbal undertone. Drinking great now at age 9. — 7 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Rich and savory. Nice structure and balance. Heat completely absent. Great Grenache. — 8 years ago

Amer S. Ahmed

9.1

Gorgeous and expressive, this wine bursts with aromas of apple, nectarine, chamomile, and hints of vanilla and asparagus. Full bodied with a drawn butter note, easy to drink absent the cloying persistence of oak (well integrated), ending on pleasing acid and grilled pineapple. Long finish. Very pretty — 8 years ago

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

9.2

Medoc style Bordeaux blend. Terrific and serious minded. Forest floor, mint, red pepper, slightly green, tannic as a monster, pleasant acidity . Very well rounded and even keeled. Well made. — 9 years ago

Frank Bragg

9.0

Balanced & rich. Big ++ for organically grown grapes & sustainability-minded family behind the wine!
— 9 years ago

John Keeney

10

We had the 2018 Wallala Pinot. One of the best wines we have had. Mild, smooth and absent of any acidity. Great drinking wine. — 6 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

8.9

This one's not a monster. Maybe a little fat, and absent giant tannin, but quite a nice match for my spiced pork entree. Spicy. — 6 years ago

Fredybeans

9.4

Robe noire
Nez olive noire ciste épicé garrigue
Bouche dense mais moelleuse ronde avec des note de jus de viande et de tapenade l alcool semble absent car la matière l entoure
Finale longue avec une petite amertume rendant le vin plus frais
Très beau cdp — 7 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.3

An exceptionally elegant, old school Chianti with a great combination of power and finesse. Intensely palate-coating black cherry, violets, cinnamon, anise and peppermint candy. Very long and vibrant finish. Some subtle nuances of orange rind, menthol and fresh herbs. This wine is supercharged with acidity and freshness, making it very hard to put down. Absent from my notes was any palpable sense of new oak. Those who appreciate this style will want to drink the whole bottle. Bravo! — 7 years ago

Ethan Webster

9.0

Way way too young. Heady and high minded; will get quite generous. Would love to revisit in 8-12 years — 8 years ago

Adrian J Marquis

9.5

Lean, clean, and a little mean. This wine carries a little oaky toast with its very lean, almost fruit absent flavor profile. Pleasant for a terroir-driven almost food dependent wine. — 8 years ago

with Tara

VA

9.0

Nose is largely absent, but makes up for it with a big whack of bright cherry and plum on the front of the palate. Hints of tobacco and vanilla on the full, lingering finish. Full, young tannins, will get better over next 3-5 yrs. — 9 years ago

Fredybeans

9.1

Robe orange
Nez frais sur l agrume confit
Bouche enorme matière alcool absent densité enorme
Grand vin de Jacquere superbe equilibre
— 9 years ago

with El